Ethiopia and Eritrea break diplomatic ties over conflict

Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations on Thursday amid ongoing internal conflicts, with both nations accusing each other of supporting armed groups. Ethiopia alleges Eritrea's backing of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which launched a major assault against government forces last week, sparking concerns of a resurgence of the deadly 2020-2022 civil war that claimed around 600,000 lives.

Addis Ababa announced the expulsion of 10 Eritrean diplomats, citing them as a direct threat to Ethiopia's national security, and vowed to close its embassy in Asmara. Eritrea's foreign ministry retaliated by stating it had "no choice but to reciprocate" and sever all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia. Since the resumption of heavy fighting in northern Ethiopia last week, hundreds have been killed and wounded.

The TPLF, which governs the Tigray region, has attacked neighboring Afar and Amhara states alongside local militias. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who recently won re-election, faces multiple threats as various armed factions have united against him. In addition to diplomatic tensions, Ethiopia recently expelled an Egyptian diplomat without providing a reason, further exacerbating regional disputes over a large dam on the Nile River.

Eritrea, which gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993, and fought a brutal border war from 1998 to 2000, has since improved relations under Prime Minister Abiy. However, tensions have escalated again, with Eritrea fearing Ethiopia's intentions to invade its land and access the Red Sea. An overnight explosion at the Ethiopian National Defence Force headquarters in Addis Ababa raised concerns that the army's conflict with rebel groups had reached the capital for the first time.