Fighting rages on Thai-Cambodian border despite Trump's ceasefire claim

Heavy fighting continued Saturday along the Thailand-Cambodia border, even after U.S. President Trump announced he had brokered a ceasefire between the two countries.

Thai officials refuted Trump's claim of a ceasefire agreement. Cambodia has not commented on the President's statement, but its defense ministry reported that Thai jets conducted airstrikes Saturday morning. Cambodian media outlets mentioned Trump's claim without providing additional details.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow expressed disappointment with Trump's remarks, saying some of them did not accurately reflect the situation on the ground.

"We regret and we're disappointed that some of the points made by President Trump have bearing upon the feeling of the Thai people, Thailand, because we consider ourselves — we are proud, in fact — to be the oldest treaty ally of the United States in the region," Sihasak said.

The recent escalation in fighting began with a December 7 skirmish that injured two Thai soldiers. That incident undermined a previous ceasefire, also promoted by Trump, which had ended five days of fighting in July over long-standing territorial disputes.

The July ceasefire was initially brokered by Malaysia but was reinforced by pressure from Trump, who reportedly threatened to withhold trade privileges from Thailand and Cambodia unless they agreed to the truce. The agreement was further formalized in October at a regional meeting in Malaysia attended by Trump.

Official reports indicate that about two dozen people have died in the past week's fighting.