Addis Ababa and Asmara Cut Ties Amid Ongoing Fighting in Northern Ethiopia

Ethiopia and Eritrea severed diplomatic relations on Thursday, with both sides exchanging accusations of fueling internal conflicts amid ongoing fighting in northern Ethiopia.

The long-standing tensions between the two neighboring countries reached a critical stage following violent clashes last week between Ethiopian forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front, raising fears of a resurgence of the devastating civil war that occurred between 2020 and 2022, which claimed an estimated 600,000 lives.

Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting Tigray People's Liberation Front rebels.

Addis Ababa announced that it would expel ten Eritrean diplomats "who pose a direct threat to Ethiopian national security" and that it would close its embassy in Asmara.

In response, the Eritrean Foreign Ministry stated that it "has no choice but to reciprocate and sever all diplomatic relations with Ethiopia."

Hundreds have been killed and injured since the resumption of intense fighting in northern Ethiopia last week.

The Tigray People's Liberation Front, which controls the Tigray region, has launched attacks inside the neighboring Afar and Amhara regions, with the support of local militias.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has not yet commented on the crisis, is set to take the oath of office for a new term on Monday, following his victory in the elections held in June.

However, he is facing conflict on multiple fronts, as several armed groups have formed an alliance against him.

Ethiopia expels a member of the diplomatic staff at the Egyptian embassy.

On the other hand, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry has requested that a member of the diplomatic staff at the Egyptian embassy in Ethiopia, Ahmed Moharram Ahmed Suleiman, leave Ethiopia within 48 hours.

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry stated that according to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it has notified the Egyptian embassy that Ahmed Moharram Ahmed Suleiman is a persona non grata. (Without providing details)