After the deadliest episode in years along their border, Thailand and Cambodia’s leaders have ordered an immediate halt to fighting. The prolonged battle over disputed temple lands and rural villages killed at least 36 and left hundreds of thousands seeking refuge.
The violence was reminiscent of earlier conflicts rooted in uncertain colonial demarcations—a legacy that continues to stoke national pride and fear. Thanks to regional mediation in Malaysia, hostile forces will now pull back, and further talks are scheduled.
Villagers caught in the crossfire are returning to charred fields and damaged homes, unsure if peace will last. Both countries have urged their citizens to shun retaliation, especially toward vulnerable cross-border workers and migrants.
As the dust settles, communities mourn the past week’s losses while international partners push for a permanent resolution.
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