Ethiopian Forces Near Tigray’s Capital as Ethiopia and Eritrea Sever Diplomatic Ties

Ethiopian government forces closed in on the capital of the country’s northern Tigray region on Friday, raising fears that the fighting could spill into a wider war, according to Reuters.

Residents and a diplomat told Reuters that banks and shops in Mekelle, the rebel stronghold’s capital, were closed, with the Ethiopian National Defence Force and allied militiamen reported to be within striking distance.

The advance came a day after Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties. On Thursday, Addis Ababa said it was closing its embassy in Asmara “in response to Eritrea’s direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence” and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave Ethiopia within 48 hours. Eritrea responded by severing all diplomatic ties, saying it had “no option but to reciprocate in kind.” Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat, and Cairo responded in kind, Reuters reported.

Addis Ababa has accused Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt of supporting an opposition alliance led by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. All three countries deny the allegation.

Fighting erupted last week between federal forces and the TPLF-led alliance in the worst escalation of violence since a 2020-2022 civil war. Suspected drone attacks on the Ethiopian capital earlier this week suggested the rebels may have better striking capability than previously thought, Reuters reported, while the Wall Street Journal noted this was the first time Tigrayan rebels had attacked the capital with drones.

Late on Thursday, the African Union Commission called on Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint and resolve their differences through diplomatic channels.

Sources

• Reuters: Ethiopian forces near Tigray capital, fears grow of wider conflict — https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/ethiopian-forces-near-tigray-capital-fears-grow-wider-conflict-2026-10-02/
• Wall Street Journal: Drones Strike Ethiopia’s Capital as Country Severs Ties with Eritrea — https://www.wsj.com/world/africa/drones-strike-ethiopias-capital-as-country-severs-ties-with-eritrea-c5651f70
• Reuters: African Union urges Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to refrain from actions that could undermine stability — https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/african-union-urges-ethiopia-eritrea-egypt-refrain-actions-that-could-undermine-2026-10-02/