JAKARTA - Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been detained since July. The development comes after the two countries declared a ceasefire on Saturday (27/12) following a 20-day clash in the border area that killed 99 people, including civilians.
Thailand "returned 18 Cambodian soldiers who were detained to Cambodia," the Thai Foreign Ministry said.
Separately, Cambodia's official news agency, Agence Kampuchea Presse, confirmed the return of the soldiers after 155 days in captivity.
Under the ceasefire agreement, all 18 soldiers detained since the border clashes in July that killed at least 48 people must be returned to Cambodia if the ceasefire remains fully respected during the first 72 hours.
Previously on Tuesday (30/12) Thailand stated that the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers who have been detained since July is being considered, although the ceasefire that is expected to trigger their return after the initial 72-hour period is still ongoing.
Thai authorities said the alleged airspace violation by the drone violated Article Six of the agreement signed on Saturday, which requires both parties to avoid "any provocative actions," including military operations, according to Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndedj Balankura.
He said Thailand's security agency detected the Cambodian drone "violating Thailand's sovereign airspace," which Bangkok saw as a reason to delay the release.
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