Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in tit-for-tat move

What the report says

Eritrea has cut diplomatic ties with Ethiopia after Addis Ababa moved to expel Eritrean diplomats and close its embassy in Asmara, escalating already strained relations between the two neighbours. In a statement on X, Eritrea’s foreign ministry said it had “no option” but to respond in kind. Ethiopia said it was acting over what it described as Eritrea’s hostile behaviour and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats, including the charge d’affaires and officials linked to the African Union, to leave within 48 hours.

Al Jazeera reported that the rupture comes as fighting intensifies inside Ethiopia between federal forces and an armed opposition coalition. Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of backing the Tigray People’s Liberation Front-led alliance, while Eritrea rejected claims that it was involved in destabilising activity and accused Ethiopia of supporting Eritrean opposition groups. The article also said explosions were heard in Addis Ababa and clashes were reported in the northern Afar region.

The dispute reflects a long and fragile history between the two countries. Eritrea fought alongside Ethiopian forces during the 2020-2022 Tigray war, but relations worsened after the conflict and Eritrea was not part of the 2022 peace agreement. Analysts and regional officials have previously warned that disagreements over sea access and security have added to tensions, especially since Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office in 2018 and sought to normalise ties with Asmara.