Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Ceasefire Breach After 250 Drones Cross Border
Thailand accuses Cambodia of massive drone incursion post-ceasefire.
Thailand's military has formally accused Cambodia of seriously undermining a newly established ceasefire agreement by deploying over 250 unmanned aerial vehicles across the border into Thai sovereign airspace. The incident, detected on Sunday night shortly after the truce was signed, has raised immediate concerns about the commitment of both sides to de-escalate longstanding territorial tensions.
In an official statement issued on Monday, the Thai army detailed that more than 250 drones were tracked originating from Cambodian territory, describing the flights as deliberate provocations that directly contradict the spirit and letter of the joint de-escalation measures agreed upon during high-level talks. This development threatens to unravel fragile diplomatic progress achieved just days earlier.
The ceasefire was formalized on Saturday following a bilateral border committee meeting, where both nations committed to an immediate cessation of hostilities, a freeze on all troop movements, collaborative demining operations along contested areas, and coordinated action against cyber threats. The agreement came after weeks of renewed clashes that resulted in dozens of fatalities and the displacement of over a million civilians across multiple border provinces.
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Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn addressed the allegations in comments broadcast on state television, characterizing the drone activity as a minor bilateral issue observed along the shared border line. He confirmed that officials from both countries have already engaged in discussions, reaching a mutual understanding to conduct a thorough joint investigation and resolve the matter without further escalation.
The accusation underscores the persistent volatility in Thailand-Cambodia relations, with historical disputes over border demarcation continuing to fuel mistrust. As both sides navigate the early stages of this latest truce—itself a replacement for a prior agreement that collapsed amid mutual recriminations—international observers are closely monitoring developments to assess whether the ceasefire can endure and pave the way for lasting stability in the region.
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