Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia after Addis Ababa orders closure of embassy in Asmara
Oct 1 (Reuters) - Ethiopia ordered the closure of its embassy in Eritrea and declared 10 Eritrean diplomats persona non grata on Thursday, prompting Asmara to sever all diplomatic ties with its neighbour after overnight blasts heard in Addis Ababa sparked fears about renewed conflict in northern Ethiopia spreading.
Ethiopia abruptly terminated diplomatic relations with Eritrea following accusations that the latter supported an opposition alliance in Addis Ababa. The capital witnessed blasts overnight, prompting concerns of a wider conflict. Eritrea severed ties with Ethiopia in response, ordering the expulsion of all Eritrean diplomats from Addis Ababa and Eritrea.
Ethiopia retaliated by expelling 10 Eritrean diplomats and ordering an Egyptian diplomat to leave the country as well. The conflict marks the most significant escalation since the end of a 2020-2022 civil war, where Eritrea supported Ethiopia's federal government. Eritrea had fought on Ethiopia's side during the conflict, but relations deteriorated post-peace deal.
As the situation unfolded, the national intelligence service banned drones over Addis Ababa, fearing the opposition's newfound capability.
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Also reported by 6 other outlets
- Ethiopia and Eritrea sever diplomatic ties as northern fighting escalates scmp.com
- African Union urges Ethiopia, Eritrea, Egypt to exercise restraint as regional escalation continues jpost.com
- Eritrea cuts ties with Ethiopia over Asmara embassy closure al-monitor.com
- African Union calls for restraint as tensions between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt rise peopledaily.digital
- Eritrea cuts ties with Ethiopia as rebels claim drone attack on Addis Ababa ynetnews.com
- Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in row over Tigray aljazeera.com
