Thailand has released 18 Cambodian soldiers that were captured in July during deadly border clashes as part of a ceasefire the two countries agreed to on Saturday.
The handover was delayed by a day over Thai concerns over alleged violations of the ceasefire, but took place after sustained Chinese diplomatic pressure to ensure the deal holds.
Simmering tensions along Thailand-Cambodia border exploded early this month and went on for weeks, forcing nearly one million people from their homes.
Saturday's deal had seen both sides agree to freeze the front lines where they are now, ban reinforcements and allow civilians living in border areas to return as soon as possible.
The 18 Cambodian soldiers, dressed in civilian clothes, were greeted by well-wishers as they were escorted over a border checkpoint and handed to the Cambodian authorities. Their captivity since July - during an earlier round of deadly clashes - has inflamed nationalist sentiment in Cambodia, with their release being one of the main demands of the Cambodian government in the ceasefire talks with Thailand.
On Wednesday, Thailand's foreign ministry stated that the release of the soldiers was a demonstration of goodwill and expressed hope that Cambodia would reciprocate this goodwill through its concrete actions.
Cambodia confirmed the return of its troops, with its defense ministry expressing that it remains hopeful this will help build mutual trust and confidence.
One of the ceasefire terms mandated that the 18 soldiers be handed over within 72 hours; however, this was delayed after Bangkok accused Phnom Penh of violating the truce by flying more than 250 unmanned aerial vehicles into Thailand on Sunday.
Despite these complaints, the latest ceasefire appears to be holding so far.
Disagreement over the border has roots dating back over a century, but tensions escalated early this year after a group of Cambodian women sang patriotic songs in a disputed temple.
Following a clash in May, in which a Cambodian soldier was killed, intense fighting erupted in July, leaving a death toll of soldiers and civilians and displacing thousands.
The two countries had previously agreed to a fragile ceasefire in July, solidified in October, brokered by US President Donald Trump. However, this ceasefire collapsed with renewed tensions earlier this month, as both sides accused each other for the breakdown.
