Eritrea severs diplomatic ties with Ethiopia after Ethiopia closes embassy and expels diplomats

On Thursday, Eritrea severed all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia in response to Ethiopia's closure of its embassy in Asmara and the expulsion of ten Eritrean diplomats. Ethiopia accused the diplomats of posing a threat to national security, while Eritrea denied the claims and accused Ethiopia of hostility. The diplomatic break occurs as fighting intensifies between Ethiopian federal forces and the Tigray People's Liberation Front-led opposition alliance, with Ethiopia accusing Eritrea of supporting the rebels. The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two neighbors, whose relations have been fragile since Eritrea's independence in 1993.