Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties as Tigray conflict escalates
Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic ties following a surge in violence in northern Ethiopia. The move follows Ethiopia's expulsion of Eritrean diplomats and ongoing conflict involving the Tigray People's Liberation Front.
Why it matters
The breakdown in relations between these two nations threatens to destabilize the Horn of Africa and escalate a regional humanitarian crisis.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Wycliffe Muia Reuters More than 50 people have been killed since heavy fighting resumed in northern Ethiopia last week Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations as renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia raises fears of a wider regional conflict.
On Thursday, Ethiopia announced it was closing its embassy in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, accusing them of activities that threatened national security.
Eritrea responded by cutting diplomatic relations, saying Ethiopia's decision had left it with no choice but to take reciprocal action.
Meanwhile, a pro-government militia says it has seized the town of Milazat, which is just 20km (12 miles) south-east of Mekelle, the capital of Tigray, where the main anti-government group is based.
The BBC has not been able to verify this claim.
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