Ethiopia and Eritrea cut diplomatic ties as northern conflict escalates

The latest diplomatic confrontation came hours after loud explosions were heard on Wednesday night in Addis Ababa, close to the headquarters of the intelligence service.A source linked to the opposition alliance told Reuters news agency that its forces had carried out drone attacks in the capital. Ethiopian authorities have not confirmed what caused the explosions, and there have been no official reports of casualties or significant damage.Residents in two areas of Addis Ababa separately told the BBC that they heard powerful explosions during the night. One resident near the intelligence headquarters said the blast was loud enough to trigger car alarms.The explosions came hours after Ethiopia's National Intelligence and Security Service imposed an indefinite ban on drone flights over Addis Ababa and surrounding areas, citing the need to protect senior officials, important infrastructure and public events.Meanwhile, fighting continues across northern Ethiopia.Federal forces and their allies appear to have made gains in southern Tigray and are advancing towards Mekelle, the regional capital. In Alamata, a doctor told the BBC earlier this week that at least 52 civilians had been kille...