Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire to end days of intense border clashes that have killed at least 35 people and displaced over 270,000, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The agreement followed high-level mediation talks hosted at Anwar’s official residence in Putrajaya, where Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai met face-to-face.
The ceasefire, effective from 17:00 GMT on Monday, marks a significant breakthrough in the escalating conflict, which saw artillery exchanges and troop mobilizations along the disputed border area.
“This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace,” Anwar stated during a joint press conference with both leaders. He noted that military commanders from both nations would meet Tuesday to implement the agreement.
The mediation was observed by both US and Chinese ambassadors, with Malaysian officials confirming that US President Donald Trump and Chinese leaders had been in direct contact with all parties involved.
Prime Minister Hun Manet praised the talks, saying:
“We had a very good meeting with very good results that we hope will immediately stop the fighting.”
He also acknowledged the “decisive role” of President Trump in encouraging both sides to the negotiation table, adding that the ceasefire could help “rebuild trust and confidence” between the two nations.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also welcomed the outcome, urging all parties to uphold their commitments.
Despite the ceasefire agreement, clashes reportedly continued on Monday morning. Thai army spokesperson Col. Richa Suksuwanon confirmed artillery fire and gunshots were heard along the border, including incidents near Samrong in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province and Sisaket in Thailand, where a Cambodian rocket killed one person on Sunday.
Tensions have also flared around disputed ancient temples — Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai — with both sides trading accusations over troop movements and use of heavy weaponry.
Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata accused Thailand of “aggressive troop deployment and air-based assaults,” while Thailand claimed Cambodian snipers were operating from within contested temple zones.
Reporting from the Thai-Cambodian border, Al Jazeera’s Tony Cheng described the ceasefire as “a huge relief” for tens of thousands of displaced civilians. “Many just want to go home,” he said.
As the ceasefire takes effect, international observers are cautiously optimistic but stress the need for strict compliance and continuous dialogue to prevent a resurgence of violence.
![Five Key Takeaways from Trump-Starmer Meeting in the UK Aylesbury, UK – September 18, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented a united front on major global issues during a joint press conference at Chequers, wrapping up Trump’s three-day visit to the United Kingdom. Despite recent tensions between Washington and European allies, the meeting underscored strong transatlantic ties as the two leaders discussed Ukraine, NATO, Gaza, Afghanistan, and more. 1. Trump Says Putin ‘Let Him Down’ Over Ukraine President Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the prolonged war in Ukraine, admitting he underestimated the challenge of resolving the conflict. “I thought it would be easiest because of my relationship with President Putin, but he’s let me down,” Trump said. PM Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, vowing to increase pressure on Russia and push for a lasting peace deal. 2. Divergence on Gaza, But Unity Against Hamas While both leaders condemned Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, they differed on the broader approach to the Gaza conflict. Trump avoided criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign, which has killed over 65,000 Palestinians, calling October 7 “one of the worst days in the history of humanity.” Starmer's previous pledge to recognize a Palestinian state was noted as a “point of disagreement,” but Trump praised the UK leader’s strong stance against Hamas. 3. Trump Praises NATO and Increased Defense Spending Once a vocal NATO critic, Trump struck a different tone, applauding the alliance’s commitment to boost defense spending. “I want to thank NATO and our wonderful head of NATO, Mark [Rutte]… They’ve done a great job,” he said, highlighting a new pledge for members to spend 5% of GDP on defense. Trump emphasized U.S. support in supplying weapons to NATO allies, stressing that the alliance was now “paying its fair share.” 4. Bagram Airbase Back in Focus Trump hinted at possible negotiations with the Taliban for the U.S. to regain access to the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan, which was vacated in 2021 during the Biden administration’s withdrawal. “We’re trying to get it back,” Trump said, citing its strategic location near China’s nuclear facilities. The Taliban, however, quickly dismissed the proposal, stating they welcome engagement with the U.S. but will not allow any foreign military presence. 5. Trump Weighs in on Kimmel Firing Trump also addressed the firing of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel by ABC, following political controversy over remarks involving conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. “Jimmy Kimmel was fired because he had bad ratings… He’s not a talented person,” Trump said, dismissing concerns about free speech and framing the firing as a business decision. Conclusion: The Trump-Starmer meeting reflected a broad effort to reinforce U.S.-UK ties amid ongoing global crises. While areas of disagreement remain, particularly on Middle East policy, both leaders signaled alignment on Ukraine, NATO, and global security cooperation.](https://trendbrio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/USA-TRUMP-BRITAIN-AND-KEIR-STARMER.webp)
