Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in tit-for-tat move

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1. 1d ago

   Ethiopia and Eritrea Sever Diplomatic Ties Amid Tigray Conflict

   Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed all diplomatic ties following a tit-for-tat dispute over diplomatic personnel. Ethiopia initiated the break by closing its embassy in Asmara and declaring 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata, citing direct and indirect acts of hostility from Eritrea. Eritrea responded by reciprocating the move. This diplomatic collapse coincides with an escalation of fighting in northern Ethiopia, where federal forces are pushing toward Mekelle and drone strikes have hit the capital, Addis Ababa, shortly after the government banned drone flights.

   Why it matters

   The breakdown in relations occurs as the Tigray conflict intensifies, raising fears of a broader regional war in the Horn of Africa. The African Union has urged Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt to avoid actions that undermine regional stability.

   What is confirmed

   • Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats.
   • Eritrea severed all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in response to the expulsion of its diplomats.
   • Explosions were reported in Addis Ababa following a government ban on drone flights.
   • Fighting is intensifying in northern Ethiopia as federal forces move toward the capital of Tigray, Mekelle.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Tigray rebels claim responsibility for drone strikes on Addis Ababa.
   • Tensions in the Horn of Africa are linked to crises in Yemen, Sudan, and the Red Sea.

   What to watch next

   • Official responses from the African Union regarding the severed ties
   • Confirmation of the origin of drone strikes in Addis Ababa
   • Movement of federal forces into Mekelle
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. www.aljazeera.com — Fighting in Ethiopia intensifies: What’s the latest? | Explainer News
   2. Reuters — Explosions heard in Ethiopia's capital as war waged in north
   3. AP News — Blasts reported in Ethiopian capital hours after government banned drone flights
   4. reuters.com — Eritrea says it is severing all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia
   5. WSJ — Drones Strike Ethiopia’s Capital as Country Severs Ties with Eritrea
   6. Al Jazeera — Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in tit-for-tat move
   7. BBC — TOOS Khilaaf diblumaasiyadeed oo mar kale ka dhex qaxay Itoobiya iyo Eriteriya
   8. dw.com — Ethiopia and Eritrea sever ties amid Tigray fighting
   9. kulu-media.com — Eritrea Severs Diplomatic Ties With Ethiopia After Embassy Closure
   10. BBC — Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties as Tigray conflict escalates
   11. Bloomberg.com — Eritrea Cuts Ties With Ethiopia as Horn of Africa Tensions Flare
   12. Reuters — African Union urges Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to refrain from actions that could undermine stability
   confidence 95%