Thailand releases 18 Cambodian soldiers after ceasefire

Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday, ending their 155-day detention. This comes after a ceasefire agreement between the two countries halted 20 days of fighting that killed over 100 people and displaced more than half a million. The soldiers were handed over at a border checkpoint.

The ceasefire, which took effect on Saturday at noon (0500 GMT), marked the end of a violent border conflict that escalated in early December.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to halt military operations, including fighter-jet sorties and exchanges of rocket fire and artillery.

Thailand had initially delayed the return of the soldiers, citing alleged breaches of the ceasefire agreement, which Cambodia denied.

The Cambodian Defence Ministry confirmed the soldiers’ release, with spokesperson Maly Socheata stating that the handover occurred at 10 a.m. (0300 GMT) at a border checkpoint.

In a statement, Thailand’s Foreign Ministry assured that the soldiers were treated in accordance with international humanitarian law during their detention.

The soldiers' release comes as a sign of progress in the ongoing efforts to stabilize relations between the two countries, who have had a longstanding dispute over their shared border.

The fighting, which began earlier in December, marked a renewed flare-up in an ongoing border conflict that has seen sporadic clashes over the years.

The renewed ceasefire agreement, brokered by the United States and Malaysia, aims to de-escalate tensions and pave the way for further negotiations.

The conflict, which had escalated since early December, led to heavy casualties and extensive displacement. Both sides have now committed to upholding the ceasefire and moving forward with peace talks.

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