Drones Strike Ethiopia’s Capital as Country Severs Ties with Eritrea
Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations as fighting escalates in the Tigray region. The diplomatic collapse follows reports of drone strikes and explosions in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, occurring shortly after the Ethiopian government banned drone flights. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting a rebel alliance, though all three nations deny the claims. The African Union has urged these countries to avoid actions that could undermine regional stability as fears grow that the internal conflict may expand into a broader regional war.
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- ✓ Ethiopia and Eritrea have cut diplomatic ties.
- ✓ Explosions were reported in Ethiopia's capital.
- ✓ The Ethiopian government banned drone flights hours before blasts were reported in the capital.
- ✓ Ethiopian forces are fighting rebel fighters in the northern region.
What changed
Eritrea severed diplomatic ties after Ethiopia expelled Eritrean diplomats amid reports of drone strikes in Addis Ababa.
Live updates
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Ethiopia and Eritrea Sever Ties Following Drone Strikes in Capital
Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations as fighting escalates in the Tigray region. The diplomatic collapse follows reports of drone strikes and explosions in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, occurring shortly after the Ethiopian government banned drone flights. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of supporting a rebel alliance, though all three nations deny the claims. The African Union has urged these countries to avoid actions that could undermine regional stability as fears grow that the internal conflict may expand into a broader regional war.
Why it matters
The rupture follows a period of renewed fighting between Ethiopian forces and rebel fighters in the north. This diplomatic breakdown increases the risk of a wider conflict involving multiple East African nations. The situation remains volatile with conflicting accusations regarding foreign interference.
What is confirmed
- Ethiopia and Eritrea have cut diplomatic ties.
- Explosions were reported in Ethiopia's capital.
- The Ethiopian government banned drone flights hours before blasts were reported in the capital.
- Ethiopian forces are fighting rebel fighters in the northern region.
- The African Union urged Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt to refrain from actions that undermine stability.
Still unconfirmed
- Ethiopia accuses Eritrea, Sudan, and Egypt of backing a rebel alliance.
What to watch next
- Confirmation of the origin of the drones used in the capital strikes
- Official responses from Sudan and Egypt regarding the accusations
- Further diplomatic or military escalations between Asmara and Addis Ababa
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (20)
- www.dji.com — DJI - Official Website
- www.pcmag.com — The Best Drones We've Tested for 2026 | PCMag
- www.djiusa.com — DJI Drones – DJIUSA
- www.bestbuy.com — Camera Drones - Best Buy
- www.wired.com — 10 Best Drones (2026): Flight-Tested and Reviewed | WIRED
- Reuters — Explosions heard in Ethiopia's capital as war waged in north
- AP News — Blasts reported in Ethiopian capital hours after government banned drone flights
- WSJ — Drones Strike Ethiopia’s Capital as Country Severs Ties with Eritrea
- Al Jazeera — Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in tit-for-tat move
- BBC — TOOS Khilaaf diblumaasiyadeed oo mar kale ka dhex qaxay Itoobiya iyo Eriteriya
- dw.com — Ethiopia and Eritrea sever ties amid Tigray fighting
- BBC — Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties as Tigray conflict escalates
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