Ethiopia and Eritrea Sever Diplomatic Ties Amid Escalating Northern Conflict

The latest diplomatic confrontation followed loud explosions heard on Wednesday night in Addis Ababa, near the intelligence service headquarters.

An opposition alliance source told Reuters that its forces had launched drone strikes in the capital. Ethiopian authorities have not confirmed the cause of the explosions, and no official casualty or damage reports have been issued.

Residents in two Addis Ababa neighborhoods reported hearing powerful explosions overnight. A resident near the intelligence headquarters said the blast was so loud it triggered car alarms.

The explosions occurred shortly after Ethiopia’s National Intelligence and Security Service imposed an indefinite ban on drone flights over Addis Ababa and its surrounding region, citing the need to safeguard senior officials, critical infrastructure, and public events.

Fighting continues across northern Ethiopia.

Federal forces and their allies have reportedly gained ground in southern Tigray and are advancing toward Mekelle, the regional capital. A doctor in Alamata told the BBC earlier this week that at least 52 civilians were killed over three days of intense fighting.

The TPLF is also engaged in combat in neighboring Afar, which lies along Ethiopia’s vital transport corridor to Djibouti and the sea. Tens of thousands of people are estimated to have fled their homes in the area.

Both the Ethiopian government and the TPLF accuse each other of initiating the latest hostilities. Tigrayan authorities claim their forces were responding to a federal offensive and drone strikes, whereas Addis Ababa maintains that Tigrayan fighters launched attacks after seizing federally administered airports in Tigray.

Independent verification remains challenging, as journalists have limited access to conflict zones and communications across much of Tigray have been disrupted.

The African Union has urged Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Egypt to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through diplomatic channels, warning that further destabilising actions could exacerbate regional tensions.

The UN has warned that the deteriorating security situation is severely disrupting humanitarian work in northern Ethiopia. UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said drone activity and air strikes are endangering civilians, critical infrastructure, and aid operations, while insecurity and road closures are restricting humanitarian movement.

The UN has called on all parties to ensure safe and unhindered access for people in need.

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