Ethiopia announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Eritrea on Thursday following drone attacks on targets in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. The Ethiopian government ordered Eritrean diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, signaling a sharp escalation in tensions between the two neighboring states.

The drone strikes reportedly targeted two key defense installations, including Ethiopia’s military headquarters, according to analysts, diplomats, and Ethiopian officials. The attacks occurred amid renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where government forces are engaged in combat with Tigrayan rebel groups.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of providing weapons and support to the Tigrayan rebels, who reignited their insurgency last week after a four-year ceasefire had been in place. The breakdown of the truce and the subsequent violence have raised concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict involving Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Officials in Addis Ababa have emphasized that the drone strikes represent a direct threat to Ethiopian sovereignty and have intensified warnings about Eritrea’s involvement in the Tigray conflict. Eritrean representatives have not publicly responded to the accusations as of Thursday.

The diplomatic rupture underscores growing instability in the Horn of Africa, where longstanding rivalries and unresolved conflicts continue to impact security and regional cooperation. Observers warn that the recent developments could further complicate efforts to achieve peace and stability in the area.