US Urges Thailand and Cambodia to Halt Fighting as Border Clashes Enter Third Day

The United States has called on Thailand and Cambodia to immediately stop their border fighting, as a rise in clashes has entered its third day and left at least ten people dead while forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. Washington said both nations must abide by the de escalation steps outlined in the peace agreement brokered by former President Donald Trump in October, which was meant to prevent further violence along the disputed frontier.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a public appeal urging both sides to cease hostilities without delay. He said the US expects Thailand and Cambodia to honor the commitments they made under the peace accord, adding that continued fighting threatens regional stability and places civilians at severe risk. The clashes have been described as the most serious escalation since deadly confrontations in July that killed dozens of people.

Trump also commented on the situation, saying he would personally intervene by making a phone call in an effort to stop the violence. While the details of such intervention remain unclear, his remarks suggest heightened concern in Washington about the rapid deterioration along the border. The fighting has included air strikes and exchanges of artillery fire, turning several villages and rural areas into active conflict zones.

Both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of starting the latest round of violence. Thai officials say Cambodian forces launched attacks on Thai positions, prompting retaliatory fire. Cambodian authorities argue the opposite, claiming that Thai units initiated the confrontation and forced them to respond. The conflicting narratives have made it difficult for observers to determine what sparked the renewed hostilities.

Residents along the border have described scenes of chaos as families scrambled to escape bombardments. Many fled with minimal belongings, seeking shelter in safer areas or at makeshift camps set up by local authorities. Humanitarian agencies warn that the large scale displacement could lead to shortages of food, water and medical supplies if fighting continues.

Analysts say the sudden escalation highlights the fragility of peace efforts in a region where unresolved territorial disputes have fueled tensions for years. They also note that political dynamics in both countries may influence how leaders approach negotiations, making sustained de escalation more challenging.

The US has said it will continue monitoring the situation closely and remains in contact with both governments. Diplomats in Washington and Southeast Asia have emphasized that the priority now is preventing further loss of life and restoring stability along the border.

As clashes persist for a third day, the path forward remains uncertain. Efforts to revive the peace accord will depend on the willingness of both nations to re engage in dialogue and halt military action. For the civilians caught in the middle, an immediate end to the fighting cannot come soon enough.