• The US announced a $45 million aid package to reinforce the Thailand-Cambodia ceasefire.
• The aid aims to support demining, drug trafficking combat, and recovery of displaced people.
• US officials emphasize the importance of this aid in promoting regional stability.
• Recent clashes have highlighted the fragile nature of the truce, established after ongoing territorial disputes.

The United States has pledged $45 million in aid to strengthen a fragile truce between Thailand and Cambodia, as announced by Michael DeSombre, the top State Department official for East Asia. This funding aims to support efforts addressing drug trafficking, cyber scams, and also assist populations displaced by recent conflicts. Specific allocations include $20 million to tackle drug-related issues in Cambodia, $15 million directed towards border stabilisation, and $10 million for demining initiatives, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

DeSombre emphasized the US commitment to helping both nations implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, an agreement formalized at a meeting with President Trump last October. The recent ceasefire, signed in late December, followed significant fighting and aims to restore peace and stability in the region. However, accusations of ceasefire violations have arisen, with Thailand and Cambodia each blaming the other for a recent flare-up, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

The ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia roots back to historical disputes over border demarcation, initially drawn during the colonial period, stretching approximately 800 kilometers. Significant territorial claims involve ancient temple ruins contested by both nations. Over 100 casualties have been reported during recent clashes, which displaced hundreds of thousands from their homes, highlighting the urgent need for stabilizing efforts in the region, states Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and India Times.