Ethiopia closes embassy in Asmara and expels diplomats as Eritrea severs ties

Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats and one Egyptian diplomat from Addis Ababa after rising tensions with Eritrea, and Eritrea announced it was severing full diplomatic relations with Ethiopia, according to ISNA. The African Union Commission voiced deep concern about the escalating tensions among Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt and called on the three countries to exercise maximum restraint and avoid any actions or statements that could further inflame the situation or undermine regional security and stability.