Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties as northern conflict escalates

Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations following an escalation of armed conflict in northern Ethiopia and explosions in the Ethiopian capital, heightening concerns of a wider regional crisis.

Ethiopia initiated the diplomatic break on Thursday by announcing the shutdown of its embassy located in Asmara. The Ethiopian government also instructed 10 Eritrean envoys to depart within 48 hours, asserting that their actions endangered national security. In response, Eritrea’s foreign ministry labeled the move astounding and declared that it had no alternative but to reciprocate by breaking off all formal ties, warning of negative repercussions.

The breakdown in relations followed overnight blasts in Addis Ababa near military and intelligence installations. While official sources have not verified the origin of the explosions or reported any casualties, a source connected to an armed opposition coalition claimed responsibility to Reuters, alleging drone strikes were carried out in the capital. Prior to the blasts, Ethiopian security officials had placed an indefinite prohibition on drone operations over Addis Ababa to safeguard critical sites and leadership.

Addis Ababa has accused the Eritrean government of providing backing to a coalition of armed groups seeking to remove Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed from power. This alliance was formed last month between the Tigray People's Liberation Front and six other movements, including the Amhara-based Fano militia. In an interview with BBC Tigrinya, Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel rejected the allegations, arguing that the Ethiopian government was attempting to deflect attention from domestic problems by pointing fingers at its neighbors.

The diplomatic rupture marks a steep decline in ties between the two nations, which previously acted as allies during the 2020 to 2022 Tigray war against the TPLF. Relations grew tense following that conflict, particularly due to Prime Minister Abiy's repeated push for Ethiopian access to the Red Sea, which Asmara has viewed as an aggressive ambition targeting its maritime ports.

Meanwhile, ground clashes have intensified across Tigray, Afar, and Amhara, representing the most severe fighting since the 2022 peace agreement. Government troops have been pressing toward the Tigrayan regional capital of Mekelle, while heavy clashes in Alamata left at least 52 civilians dead earlier this week, according to a local physician. In Afar, along a critical transport route to Djibouti, tens of thousands of residents have been displaced.

Both the Ethiopian government and the TPLF blame each other for sparking the recent hostilities. The United Nations has warned that active airstrikes and drone warfare are imperiling aid delivery and civilian lives, while the African Union has appealed to Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt to de-escalate tensions and seek resolution through diplomatic talks.