Eighteen Cambodian soldiers were released by Thailand and returned home on Wednesday (December 31) under a renewed ceasefire agreed by the two countries, easing tensions after weeks of deadly border clashes.

Cambodia's national television KTV aired footage of released soldiers disembarking from a helicopter, reuniting with their families, and being welcomed by crowds of Cambodians lining the streets.

The Southeast Asian neighbours agreed to halt fighting at noon on Saturday (0500 GMT), ending about 20 days of clashes that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million civilians on both sides. The fighting included fighter jet sorties, exchanges of rocket fire and artillery barrages.

Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said the soldiers were transferred at a border checkpoint at 10 am (0300 GMT) on Wednesday, after 155 days in Thai custody. The governor of Cambodia's Battambang province, Sok Lou, described the returnees as "heroic soldiers".

Thailand's Foreign Ministry said the detainees had been treated "in accordance with international humanitarian law and principles" during their detention.

Production: Xiaoyu Yin/Reuters