Ethiopia and Eritrea have officially severed diplomatic ties following heightened tensions and the expulsion of diplomats by both nations. Eritrea announced its decision to cut ties in response to Ethiopia expelling 10 Eritrean diplomats, citing acts of hostility amid ongoing clashes in the Tigray region. In a further escalation, Ethiopia has closed its embassy in Asmara, leading to a downturn in relations that now sees both countries shuttering their diplomatic missions. The African Union has urged both nations to exercise restraint, as the conflict threatens to destabilize the wider Horn of Africa region.