Thailand released 18 Cambodian soldiers on Wednesday following a renewed ceasefire agreement between the two countries, easing tensions after weeks of deadly border fighting.
The ceasefire, agreed at the weekend, ended nearly 20 days of clashes that killed at least 101 people and forced more than half a million civilians to flee on both sides. The fighting involved air strikes, rocket attacks, and heavy artillery.
According to Cambodian officials, the soldiers were handed over at a border checkpoint on Wednesday morning after spending more than five months in Thai custody. Cambodian authorities welcomed their return and praised them for their service.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said the soldiers were treated according to international humanitarian law while in detention.
The border violence had restarted earlier this month after a previous ceasefire, brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, collapsed. Under the latest agreement, Thailand had promised to release the soldiers if the ceasefire held for 72 hours.
Although the handover was delayed by one day due to allegations of violations, the transfer was completed under the supervision of the International Committee of the Red Cross, which said the move was an important step toward peace and family reunification.
