Thailand, Cambodia Begin Crucial Border Talks Amid Deadly Clashes

• Thailand and Cambodia initiated three-day military talks Wednesday to revive a ceasefire after over two weeks of intense border fighting.
• The conflict has resulted in at least 86 deaths (21 civilians in Cambodia, 65 in Thailand) and displaced/evacuated over 650,000 people.
• Discussions, led by senior generals, aim to create conditions for a broader agreement, with defence ministers potentially meeting December 27.
• Both nations accuse each other of aggression; Cambodia claims Thailand used fighter jets, while Thailand alleges Cambodia fired into civilian areas.
• The talks follow failed mediation attempts and ongoing clashes in long-disputed border areas with unresolved sovereignty claims.

Why It Matters: Thailand and Cambodia seek peace through talks after deadly border clashes and mass displacement.