Ethiopia closes embassy in Eritrea, expels 10 diplomats amid rising tensions

On Wednesday night, a series of loud explosions shook the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, just hours after the government had banned all drone flights in the city. Federal forces were continuing to engage in conflict with regional fighters in the northern section of the country. An intelligence service official confirmed that three blasts occurred at different locations, though no additional information was provided.

A separate diplomatic source reported hearing a blast near the defense headquarters at 7 p.m., followed by an emergency siren. Neighbors living close to the facility also claimed to have heard an explosion near a nearby factory after midnight. Authorities have yet to determine whether these incidents were intentional attacks or standard military training drills.

The explosions came after the National Intelligence and Security Service announced a nationwide ban on drone activities in Addis Ababa and surrounding metropolitan areas. This measure was taken concurrently with increasing violence in the northern Tigray region, where rebels had recently taken control of several towns and the primary regional airport, leading to a halt in commercial flights.

The United Nations has called for an immediate end to hostilities and renewed political discussions between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration and a coalition of seven opposition parties. In the Tigray region, where the fighting is taking place, displacement camps established during the 2020 conflict are causing growing concerns.

Civilians in the Hitsats camp, located in northwestern Tigray, reported hearing gunfire from great distances. The camp currently houses around 16,000 people who have been there for six years, and many are now concerned about another population displacement. The economic situation in Tigray has also been severely impacted by the ongoing fighting.

In the city of Mekelle, the regional capital, critical infrastructure such as telecommunications and banking services have been disrupted, crippling daily commerce. Local merchant Abdelaziz Ahmed explained the dire economic situation, stating that people could not purchase goods without cash, and his business stock would only last a month.

He added that his only hope is for the crisis to end and for peace to return to Tigray. Transportation networks have also suffered significant damage. A local taxi driver, speaking anonymously due to security reasons, reported that black-market fuel prices have doubled, leaving ordinary citizens without funds for food or rent. The region's future remains uncertain as federal authorities evaluate the security situation in Addis Ababa and diplomats strive for renewed negotiations.

For the millions caught in the shifting frontlines, resolving political disagreements will determine if stability can be restored to a region plagued by years of recurring conflicts.