Reuters
—
Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday under a renewed ceasefire agreed by the two countries over the weekend, easing tensions after weeks of deadly border clashes, authorities in both countries said.
The Southeast Asian neighbors agreed to cease fighting at noon Saturday, ending nearly 20 days of clashes that have left at least 101 people dead on both sides and more than 500,000 civilians displaced. The fighting included fighter jet sorties, rocket fire, and artillery fire.
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Marie Socheata said the soldiers were transferred at a border crossing at 10 a.m. Wednesday (10 p.m. ET Tuesday) after being held in Thailand for 155 days. Sok Lew, the governor of Cambodia’s Battambang province, described the returnees as “heroic soldiers.”
Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the soldiers were treated “in accordance with international humanitarian law and principles” while in custody.
Border clashes flared up again this month after a previous ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim collapsed.
As part of Saturday’s agreement to cease fighting, Thailand agreed to release 18 detained soldiers if the ceasefire lasts 72 hours.
However, the extradition was delayed by a day after Thailand alleged that Cambodia had violated the ceasefire, which Cambodia denied.
Mirjana Sporjaric, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which oversaw the handover, said: “Today’s release and repatriation of prisoners of war allows families to be reunited and is an important step in putting into action the commitments outlined in the joint statement.”
