Thailand-Cambodia Fighting Continues Despite Trump’s Ceasefire Claim

Clashes along the Thailand-Cambodia border continued on Saturday, casting doubt on US President Donald Trump’s claim that the two countries had agreed to revive a ceasefire after days of intense fighting.

Trump said on Friday that he had secured an agreement to halt hostilities following phone calls with Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. In a post on Truth Social, he claimed both sides had agreed to stop all shooting and return to a previously brokered peace accord, with mediation support from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

However, Thailand’s foreign ministry and defence officials disputed the assertion, confirming that fighting was ongoing along the border. Prime Minister Anutin said Thailand would continue military operations until it no longer faced threats to its sovereignty. In a social media post, he rejected Trump’s description of a landmine blast that injured Thai soldiers as an accident, calling it a deliberate act of aggression.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said some of Trump’s remarks did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground, adding that Bangkok was disappointed the US president appeared to rely on what he described as distorted information. He underlined Thailand’s long-standing status as a treaty ally of the United States.

Cambodia did not directly confirm Trump’s ceasefire claim but accused Thailand of continuing attacks. Cambodia’s defence ministry alleged that Thai forces used F-16 fighter jets to bomb multiple targets inside Cambodian territory on Friday and said the strikes had not stopped.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged speaking with Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, thanking them for efforts to promote peace, but stopped short of confirming any formal ceasefire agreement. Malaysia has played a key mediation role since earlier this year, including brokering a ceasefire in July under pressure from Washington.

Despite diplomatic efforts, violence has escalated sharply. More than two dozen people have been reported killed in the past week, while over half a million residents have been displaced. Thailand has confirmed the deaths of 15 soldiers and estimated Cambodian military casualties at 165. Cambodia has reported at least 11 civilian deaths and more than 60 injuries.

The renewed fighting was triggered by a December 7 skirmish that injured two Thai soldiers and effectively collapsed the July truce. Since then, Thailand has conducted airstrikes it says targeted military positions, while Cambodia has fired large numbers of BM-21 rockets, contributing to widespread destruction.

While Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for resolving global conflicts since returning to office, the ongoing clashes suggest that a durable ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia remains uncertain.