General Mohd Nizam Bin Haji Jaffar, chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF), visited Cambodia on 29/7 and announced the formation of two teams to monitor and verify the implementation of the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire agreement.
The primary goal of his visit, Mohd Nizam emphasized, was to ensure effective monitoring and enforcement procedures for the ceasefire, leading to tangible results.
The two monitoring teams will be deployed separately in Cambodia and Thailand, overseen by the Malaysian military attache in each country. Operations will commence today, the day after the ceasefire took effect at midnight on 29/7.
General Vong Pisen, commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), welcomed Malaysia's role in facilitating the ceasefire and contributing to the restoration of peace and order in the region.
 |
General Mohd Nizam Bin Haji Jaffar (left) and General Vong Pisen meeting in Phnom Penh on 29/7. Photo: Khmer Times |
General Mohd Nizam Bin Haji Jaffar (left) and General Vong Pisen meeting in Phnom Penh on 29/7. Photo: Khmer Times
He also expressed support for Malaysia's assistance in monitoring the situation and coordinating verification of the ceasefire implementation through an independent observation mechanism, aiming to ensure sustainable peace, accountability, and long-term stability.
Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha previously mentioned the possibility of inviting diplomatic delegations, foreign military attaches stationed in Cambodia, and other relevant parties to observe the situation at the Cambodia-Thailand border.
Lim Menghour, head of the Cambodian National Assembly's Commission on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, stated that both countries need additional international observer mechanisms, calling this a key element in monitoring all terms agreed upon during the meeting in Malaysia.
 |
Cambodian and Thai soldiers at the ancient Ta Moan Thom temple in the disputed area on 26/3. Photo: AFP |
Cambodian and Thai soldiers at the ancient Ta Moan Thom temple in the disputed area on 26/3. Photo: AFP
Fighting between Cambodia and Thailand erupted near the Ta Moan Thom temple on the morning of 24/7 and subsequently spread to other areas along the border. This was the most serious clash between the two neighbors in over 10 years, resulting in a total of 38 deaths: 25 in Thailand and 13 in Cambodia.
Cambodia and Thailand reached a ceasefire agreement on 28/7 following talks in Malaysia mediated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Military leaders from both countries agreed not to deploy or reposition troops along the border to enforce the ceasefire.
Thanh Danh (Fresh News, Khmer Times, AFP)
