Ethiopia and Eritrea have severed diplomatic relations as renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia raises fears of a wider regional conflict. The break was announced on October 1 and 2.

Ethiopia closed its embassy in Asmara and ordered 10 Eritrean diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, accusing Eritrea of “direct and indirect acts of hostility and belligerence.” Eritrea responded by cutting all diplomatic ties, accusing Ethiopia of arming opposition groups to topple its government.

The rupture came hours after explosions were heard in Addis Ababa, including near Ethiopia’s military headquarters. Rebel groups fighting the government claimed responsibility for a drone strike, while Addis Ababa accuses Eritrea of backing the rebels.

Federal forces are battling fighters from the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and allies across Tigray, Afar and Amhara. A doctor in Alamata told the BBC that at least 52 civilians were killed in three days of intense fighting, and tens of thousands have fled their homes.

Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat, and Cairo responded in kind. The African Union has urged all sides to show restraint.