Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Ethiopia Closes Eritrea Embassy After Blasts Heard in Capital
Ethiopia and Eritrea were once partners, but their relationship has become tense again.
Ethiopia said Eritrea had acted in a hostile way and ordered its embassy in Eritrea to close.
It also told 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave Ethiopia.
Explosions were heard in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.
A source connected to opposition fighters said drones carried out attacks, but this has not been independently confirmed.
Ethiopia has also accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of helping the opposition, while those countries deny it.
Fighting is continuing in the northern regions of Tigray and Afar.
Many people in Afar have left their homes because of the violence.
Ethiopia ordered its embassy in Eritrea closed and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats within 48 hours.
Overnight explosions were heard in Addis Ababa, with an opposition-linked source claiming drone strikes targeted several locations, including military headquarters.
Ethiopia accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting an opposition alliance; all three countries denied the accusation.
Federal forces and allied militias reported gains in Tigray and Afar, though Reuters could not independently verify the claims.
Fighting in Afar has displaced tens of thousands as clashes mark the biggest escalation since Ethiopia’s 2020–2022 civil war.
- Who
- The Ethiopian government, Eritrean diplomats, federal Ethiopian forces, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and allied opposition forces are involved; Ethiopia also accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the opposition, which they denied.
- What
- Ethiopia ordered the closure of its embassy in Eritrea and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats after explosions were heard in Addis Ababa amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia.
- When
- The announcement was made on Thursday, October 1, after overnight explosions in Addis Ababa; the broader clashes began the previous week.
- Where
- The diplomatic dispute involves Ethiopia and Eritrea, while fighting has been reported in Tigray and Afar and explosions were heard in Addis Ababa.
- Why
- Ethiopia said it was responding to Eritrea’s alleged direct and indirect hostile actions and growing fears that the northern conflict could spread.
Ethiopian Government and Pro-Government Forces
Opposition Alliance and Accused Countries
Responsibility for the escalation
Ethiopian Government and Pro-Government Forces
Ethiopia said Eritrea had engaged in direct and indirect hostile actions and accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the opposition alliance.
Opposition Alliance and Accused Countries
Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt denied supporting the opposition; an opposition-linked source claimed responsibility for drone strikes in Addis Ababa, while the claim remained unverified.
Military developments
Ethiopian Government and Pro-Government Forces
Pro-government forces said they had captured Maychew in Tigray and Erbeti in Afar, with support from the Ethiopian National Defence Force.
Opposition Alliance and Accused Countries
The opposition alliance has captured towns in Afar, and fighting has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee; Reuters could not independently verify the competing battlefield claims.
Significance of the blasts
Ethiopian Government and Pro-Government Forces
The Ethiopian intelligence service banned drones over Addis Ababa as officials faced fears that the conflict could spread to the capital.
Opposition Alliance and Accused Countries
A senior analyst said a confirmed opposition ability to strike Addis Ababa would undermine the government’s claim that the capital was unaffected and reduce a key federal military advantage.
- Diplomatic action
- Ethiopia ordered its embassy in Asmara, Eritrea, to close.
- Diplomats expelled
- Ten Eritrean diplomats were given 48 hours to leave Ethiopia.
- Reported explosions
- Overnight blasts were heard in Addis Ababa; witnesses reported no visible damage near a military base.
- Drone allegation
- A source linked to the opposition alliance claimed several drone strikes occurred in the capital, but the claim was not independently confirmed.
- Conflict areas
- Fighting has been reported in Tigray and Afar, with federal forces advancing in southern Tigray.
- Displacement
- Tens of thousands of people have reportedly fled their homes in Afar.
- Regional accusations
- Ethiopia accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting the opposition alliance; all three denied the accusation.