How the Thailand-Cambodia conflict went from Trump-backed ceasefire to air strikes

BANGKOK - Thailand said it had launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia on Dec 8, after both countries accused the other of breaching a ceasefire agreement brokered by US President Donald Trump.

Here are key moments in the border conflict:    

May 28: Cambodia’s Defence Ministry says one of its soldiers is killed after a brief exchange of gunfire with Thai soldiers at a disputed border area, the first such deadly clash since 2011.

July 23:

Thailand recalls its ambassador to Cambodia

and says it will expel Cambodia’s ambassador, following a landmine incident that injured a Thai soldier along the disputed border.

July 24: Armed clashes erupt along the border. Both sides accuse the other of opening fire first.

Thailand deploys F-16 jets

, one of which bombs a Cambodian military target.

July 25: Fighting intensifies and spreads with heavy artillery fire and rocket attacks across multiple front lines, marking their worst clashes in more than a decade. Fighting in the days that follow kills at least 48 people – mostly civilians – and an estimated 300,000 residents are displaced.

July 26: Mr Trump calls leaders of both countries and says both agreed to meet soon to work out a ceasefire, adding that their respective talks with Washington on trade tariffs could resume once a truce is in place.  

July 28: After efforts by Malaysia, the US and also China to bring both sides to the table, the

two countries’ leaders sign an agreement

in Malaysia’s Putrajaya to end hostilities, resume direct communications and create a mechanism to implement the ceasefire.  

Oct 26: The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia sign an enhanced ceasefire deal in the presence of Mr Trump, whose intervention in their fierce border conflict earned him a Nobel Peace Prize nomination from Cambodia. The agreement builds on the truce signed three months earlier.

Nov 1: As part of the agreement, both countries say they have begun phased withdrawal of heavy weapons from the disputed border, starting with rocket systems, and conducting de-mining operations. Cambodia says it expects the withdrawal to be fully completed by end of 2025.

Nov 11: Thailand says it is halting implementation of the ceasefire pact with Cambodia a day after

a landmine blast maimed a Thai soldier

. Cambodia’s Defence Ministry denies having laid new landmines.

Nov 12: At least one person is killed in Cambodia as the neighbours accuse each other of opening fire.

Dec 8:

Thailand launches air strikes

after it said its troops came under Cambodian fire. Both countries accuse the other of breaching the ceasefire agreement, and the Thai authorities say hundreds of thousands of civilians are being evacuated. REUTERS