Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim urges restraint as Thai-Cambodian border conflict escalates

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on 8 December 2025 urged Thailand and Cambodia to exercise restraint following renewed armed clashes along their shared border.

He warned that the fighting risked undoing the careful work that went into a ceasefire he helped to broker in October 2025, alongside former United States President Donald Trump.

Anwar, who chairs ASEAN, said both sides must maintain communication and make full use of existing mechanisms to prevent further escalation.

In his public statement, shared on his official social media accounts, he expressed deep concern over reports of armed engagements between the two militaries.

He offered condolences to the families of those killed or injured in the latest outbreak of violence along the contested frontier.

Anwar stressed that renewed hostilities could unravel efforts to stabilise relations between the neighbouring states.

He described both countries as close partners of Malaysia and key members of ASEAN, highlighting the collective interest in regional stability.

He also said Malaysia remained ready to support measures that could help restore calm and avert additional incidents.

According to Anwar, the immediate priority is to halt fighting, protect civilians, and return to a diplomatic course grounded in international law and the neighbourly spirit underpinning ASEAN.

Thailand launches F-16 air strikes after deadly border clashes with Cambodia

Clashes intensified on Monday after Thailand launched air strikes along its disputed border with Cambodia.

The Thai military said the action followed reported Cambodian attacks that breached the October ceasefire.

Thai forces stated that at least one soldier was killed and four wounded in the fresh clashes around two areas in Ubon Ratchathani province.

A military statement confirmed the casualties occurred during Cambodian attacks early Monday in the Nam Yuen district.

The Thai army claimed its strikes were a response to Cambodian rocket fire targeting Thai positions and civilian zones.

It alleged that Cambodian forces deployed BM-21 and Type 90B multiple rocket launchers aimed at strategic and civilian locations deep inside Thai territory.

According to a report by the Bangkok Post, Cambodian shelling began at 5.05am in the Chong An Ma area, continuing in nearby Chong Bok at around 7am.

The report added that Cambodian BM-21 rockets struck Ban Sai Tho 10 in Buri Ram’s Ban Kruat district at 8.30am.

The Thai air force said fighter jets were deployed to stop what it considered a significant and coordinated Cambodian operation threatening national security.

Air Marshal Jackrit Thammavichai said only military targets were struck, consistent with principles of necessity and proportionality.

Cambodia’s defence ministry acknowledged the Thai strikes but insisted the attacks were unprovoked.

It stated that Cambodian troops did not retaliate despite what it described as provocative Thai actions.

In a statement published on Facebook, former Prime Minister Hun Sen labelled Thailand the aggressor and urged Cambodian forces to maintain discipline.

He wrote that the red line for responding had already been set, without providing further details.

The two neighbours share an 817-kilometre border, parts of which remain undemarcated since the French colonial period.

Border tensions have flared periodically, including violent exchanges in 2011, but the current escalation is the most serious in more than a decade.

The original conflict in July stemmed from long-standing land disputes and quickly worsened after artillery and rocket exchanges.

The Kuala Lumpur ceasefire signed in October sought to halt hostilities, though recent landmine incidents and mutual accusations of breaches heightened mistrust.

Thailand announced a suspension of the ceasefire implementation last month after a Thai soldier was maimed by a landmine near the frontier.

Despite intensified hostilities, neither side has declared full-scale war, though military activity has risen sharply.