Ethiopia and Eritrea have broken off diplomatic relations following a dramatic escalation in fighting within northern Ethiopia, sparking concerns about a wider regional conflagration. On Thursday, Addis Ababa announced the closure of its embassy in Asmara and ordered ten Eritrean diplomats to depart the country within 48 hours, alleging their activities threatened national security.
Eritrea responded by severing all diplomatic ties, stating it had no choice but to take reciprocal measures. The Eritrean foreign ministry described Ethiopia’s actions as “astounding” and warned of “negative corollaries” stemming from the breakdown in relations.
The diplomatic rupture occurred shortly after powerful explosions were reported overnight in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, near the military headquarters. While authorities have not confirmed the cause, an opposition-linked source told Reuters that rebel forces had conducted drone attacks. This follows an indefinite ban on drone flights imposed by Ethiopia’s intelligence service over the capital.
Relations between the two neighbors have deteriorated sharply since they fought side by side during the Tigray war from 2020 to 2022. The current crisis involves Ethiopian federal forces battling an alliance of armed groups, including the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), across the Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions. More than 50 people have been killed since renewed hostilities began last week.
Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea of supporting the rebel alliance, a claim Asmara denies. Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel told the BBC that the accusations were an attempt by the Ethiopian government to distract from internal problems. Meanwhile, a pro-government militia commander claimed Eritrean troops were actively engaged on the front lines, though the BBC has not independently verified this.
The violence marks the most severe disruption to peace since the 2022 agreement ended the devastating Tigray war, which the African Union estimated resulted in approximately 600,000 deaths. Federal forces report advancing toward Mekelle, the Tigray regional capital, while tens of thousands have fled their homes in neighboring Afar, a key transport corridor to Djibouti.
Both the African Union and the United Nations have urged restraint, warning that drone strikes and air attacks are endangering civilians and disrupting humanitarian aid delivery. Journalists continue to face restricted access to the conflict zones, complicating independent verification of the escalating violence.
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