Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties as northern conflict escalates

Ethiopia and Eritrea have ended diplomatic relations amid escalating conflict in northern Ethiopia, raising concerns of a broader regional war. On Thursday, Ethiopia closed its embassy in Eritrea's capital, Asmara, and ordered Eritrean diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, alleging their activities threatened national security.

Eritrea reciprocated by severing diplomatic ties, stating Ethiopia's decision left it with no choice. The tension arose after powerful explosions were heard in Addis Ababa, near Ethiopia's military headquarters, following a sharp decline in relations. Ethiopia accused Eritrea of supporting armed groups fighting against the Ethiopian government, a claim Asmara denied.

Ethiopia expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, labeling them a direct threat to national security, while Eritrea called the expulsion "astounding" and reciprocal in nature. The diplomatic fallout coincides with battles between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) across Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions.

The latest hostilities are the most severe since a peace deal ended the 2022 Tigray war, which reportedly caused 600,000 deaths. Recent tensions stem from Ethiopia's push for direct Red Sea access, a demand Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of harboring ambitions over its ports. Despite Eritrea's repeated denials of involvement in the conflict, allegations persist that Eritrean soldiers have been on the front lines.

The African Union and UN have urged all sides to exercise restraint and resolve disputes diplomatically, warning that further destabilization could exacerbate the region's security crisis.