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Thursday, 15 October 2026

Eritrea & the Horn of Africa · NatnaTV

Eritrea & the Horn of Africa · NatnaTV

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Ethiopian federal forces enter Adwa without resistance, residents say; Adwa Hospital and government offices looted overnight Tigray TV says Tigrayan fighters ambushed federal forces twice in the Kola Tembien mountains; the claim is unverified Eritrea's foreign ministry asks the African Union to restore its representation at AU headquarters; a similar letter went to UNECA Human Rights Watch says civilians have been killed by shelling in southern Tigray and some health facilities have closed Abiy Ahmed says he held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; ENA says they discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral issues UN releases a further 8.5 million dollars in emergency funds for northern Ethiopia UK threatens a total visa ban on Eritreans; restrictions on Eritrean diplomats take effect Eritrea asks the UN to take deterrent measures Getachew Reda urges the EU to impose targeted sanctions on Eritrea; Eritrea's information minister calls the accusations groundless Eritrea's information minister says the UAE sent Ethiopia 365 military shipments in nine months Ethiopian troops reach Zalambessa on the Eritrean border, Reuters reports Two of the seven groups named in Ethiopia's new rebel alliance say they are not part of it Drone hits Tigrai TV headquarters in Mekelle, taking the station off air EEPA says the Afar border is an active combat zone between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, and cites unverified reports that Ethiopian troops crossed into Eritrea Pro-government Tigray militia says Eritrean troops have suffered heavy losses and are pulling back; Eritrea's information minister calls the militia untrustworthy Wazema says the Ethiopian army showed foreign military attachés weapons it says were captured in Mekelle, accusing Eritrea and Sudan of supplying them Ethiopia's Somali Regional State speaks publicly for the first time about the Somali soldiers who crossed the border, saying the case is going through legal and diplomatic channels Col. Tewolde says Tadesse Werede and his associates escaped rather than being released; the four have reached Mekelle Trump rejects Iran plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz Fighting spreads into Afar with clashes in Abala HRW: Mekelle airstrike should be investigated as a possible war crime Internet and phone lines cut across Tigray Young men leaving Tigray over forced-recruitment fears Sudanese army says it has taken Sodari in North Kordofan Wazema reports senior Tigray security officials detained in Mekelle Plane crash in DR Congo kills 17, including two senior military officials Ethiopia presses case for sea access at the UN General Assembly Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch calls for peace and reconciliation at Meskel Venezuela frees 39 political prisoners after talks with the opposition Djibouti price surge squeezes Ethiopian truck drivers as Yemen war clouds Red Sea route Saudi Arabia asks UN to protect Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea EU announces almost 710 million euros in new humanitarian and migration funding German and Russian foreign ministers hold first talks since 2022 UN rights chief warns Ethiopia against a return to full-scale war Seventeen killed in shooting at South African bar Eritrean riders in action at the World Championships in Montreal Burhan rejects US conditions for a truce Telecoms and internet cut in Tigray Sudan Tribune: RSF takes $4 a barrel from South Sudan oil exports At least 27 killed in two mass shootings in South African townships Sudanese doctors say RSF looted and wrecked hospital in recaptured Sodari UN says more than 400 Sudanese are crossing into Chad every day Drone strike hits major fuel depot in central Sudan Eritrea rejects Ethiopian army chief's accusation Fano says it captured army vehicles and weapons in Amhara Ethiopian army chief says forces are answering with wisdom and restraint Arrests near UK air base used by US forces Meskel celebrated across Eritrea, with Patriarch Abune Basilios leading prayers in Asmara President Taye presses Ethiopia's case for sea access and Security Council reform at the UN Patriarch Abune Mathias calls for peace at the Meskel Demera in Addis Ababa UN rights chief says five schools in Tigray were hit by airstrikes, urges de-escalation Japan urges compliance with the Pretoria Agreement; Britain condemns the Tigray forces' attacks Two killed as an RSF drone strikes a displacement shelter in El Obeid Saudi Arabia complains to the UN over a drone strike on its aid convoy in Sudan Eritrea takes part in the 195th UCI Congress in Montreal New 180,000 cubic metre dam inaugurated at Adi-Hawosha Sudan's attorney general rejected the UAE's hosting of the UN crime congress Sudan Tribune says an RSF faction commander joined the army with 50 fighters Trump rejected Iran's seven-day proposal; Iran says it will not back down Osman Saleh discussed Red Sea security with the foreign ministers of Algeria, Burkina Faso and Egypt Ethiopians sweep Berlin Marathon as Assefa misses world record by 1:08 Al Jazeera says the Ethiopian army has retaken Sekota; federal forces reported closing in on Alamata Sudan and Egypt reject Ethiopian army chief's accusation; Sudan says the RSF was aided from Ethiopian soil Afar party chief says Tigray forces seized three towns in Zones 2 and 4; AFP told Erebti has fallen Darfur authorities reopen the Tina crossing with Chad for aid deliveries Rising cost of living in Djibouti squeezes Ethiopian truck drivers on the corridor Afar president accuses the Eritrean army of taking part in the fighting Israel's foreign ministry says it is working to evacuate about 20 Israelis stranded in Lalibela Federal troops and Tigray forces fighting on three fronts: the army holds Alamata and Sekota, Tigray forces push into Afar UCI fines Girmay, Mulubrhan and Eritrea's sports director over team kit at the Worlds Sudan's army says it downed an RSF drone in North Kordofan as warplanes resume strikes on Nyala Explosion heard at Kombolcha airport as flights are suspended UN and AU back Obasanjo's renewed mediation and urge a return to direct talks in northern Ethiopia Red Cross moves 161 people, including African Union monitors and Ethiopian Airlines staff, from Mekelle to Semera Somali army and forces loyal to ousted South West president fight for Baidoa MSF says war-wounded at its Korem and Alamata hospitals rose from 180 to more than 420 in four days Ethiopia's Council of Ministers approves a redraft of the Defence Forces Proclamation and sends it to parliament Osman Saleh calls at the UN for an end to the war destabilising the Horn and to intervention "under the rubric of humanitarian assistance"EU allocates €61 million for Ethiopia as the UN says aid access is severely restricted UAE condemns TPLF attacks and declares full solidarity with Ethiopia's government Tigray forces close to cutting Ethiopia's Djibouti road; at least 150,000 displaced in Afar Six US senators urge Rubio to push for a return to Tigray talks and criticise the lapse of sanctions Al Jazeera says federal forces have pushed more than 150km into Tigray and taken Mekoni, Wajena and Adi Gudom Two drone explosions reported at Ethiopia's Bishoftu air force base; senior pilot Kassahun Lema killed Live: Eritrea v South Africa — Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Bloomberg says two explosions were heard in Addis Ababa as drone flights over the capital are suspended Pirates killed five crew of the hijacked tanker Honour 25 as Puntland forces recovered the ship and captured 16 Egypt's foreign minister demands Egypt's Nile water share be doubled and rejects any new dams DW says residents reported 11 killed and 15 wounded at the Alamata market; the claim could not be verified Ethiopia orders an Egyptian diplomat out within 48 hours; Egypt orders out a counsellor at Ethiopia's embassy in Cairo Ethiopia's Somali region council re-elects Mustafa Omer president and Ibrahim Osman Farah vice president Eritrea severs all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia and accuses it of invading Eritrean ports and coastal areas Ethiopia closes its embassy in Asmara and orders 10 Eritrean diplomats out within 48 hours BBC says at least 52 civilians were killed in three days of fighting around Alamata, with more than 700 wounded Bloomberg says Ethiopia plans to pull more than 3,000 troops out of Somalia; Somalia says it was given no notice Isaias Afwerki travels to Egypt for a heads-of-state summit on Red Sea and Nile Basin security Houthis say Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes on Sanaa and three Yemeni provinces Debretsion says the war has entered a new and decisive phase Osman Saleh meets US officials in Washington and welcomes the removal of unilateral sanctions African Union Commission urges Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint and return to diplomacy Residents say TPLF fighters are leaving Mekelle as federal forces retake the city's airport US State Department urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to show maximum restraint and return to the 2018 peace framework Isaias and el-Sisi hold extensive talks at New Alamein, Eritrea's Information Ministry says Somalia's president rejects any Israeli presence and says Mogadishu does not object to Ethiopian sea access through Somali territory UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on northern Ethiopia Sisi hosts a four-way meeting at New Alamein with Isaias, al-Burhan and Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud AFP says a drone strike on a displacement camp at Sheraro in north-western Tigray killed at least eight, including a child Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia issue El Alamein joint declaration: Red Sea governance rests with littoral states alone Abraham Belay says a new interim administration will be set up in Tigray with elections within months, and accuses Eritrean forces of fighting alongside the TPLF Ethiopia's parliament re-elects Abiy Ahmed prime minister and swears him in for a five-year term; Ahmed Shide elected Speaker Houthis say they struck Abha airport after losing ground at Bab el-Mandeb The Guardian says armed groups in Tigray are forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15; the TPLF rejects the accusation Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission calls on fighters in Tigray to hand over their weapons and enter demobilisation centres around Mekelle Addis Standard says federal police opened fire on residents in Negele Borana, killing a 17-year-old and wounding six UN says a UN agency warehouse and aid groups' stores in Tigray have been looted, disrupting relief work Adigrat residents say Eritrean soldiers in two trucks drove through the town; Yemane Gebremeskel denies any Eritrean presence Critical Threats Project says Fano fighters have cut federal supply routes to Mekelle on two highways Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of a troop incursion and demands an immediate withdrawal ACLED says Eritrean forces crossed the border at Zelambesa and that Ethiopian drones struck them at Guada UN Human Rights Council appoints Sihaka Tsemo of Cameroon as Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea Residents say Tigray forces have withdrawn from Shire; federal troops had not entered the town US Embassy in Addis Ababa warns of possible long-range attacks on Ethiopian military installations and tells citizens to leave Amhara, Tigray and Afar Ethiopia's rights commission says the right to life and personal security have fallen into an alarming state; its chief commissioner calls the northern violence a localised clash, not a full-scale war Ethiopia takes its case against Eritrea to the UN as drone strikes raise tensions ACLED says federal forces have taken Idaga Hamus, Atsibi and Freweyni in eastern Tigray, with Adigrat expected next Getachew Reda promises visible change in Mekelle; intelligence chief Redwan Hussein meets him at the airport Egypt condemns the attack on Riyadh international airport Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission names nine reception points in Tigray, calling it a final opportunity for TPLF combatants Abiy Ahmed reappoints Getachew Reda as adviser on East African affairs with the rank of minister Abiy Ahmed appoints 62 state ministers across 22 federal ministries Eritrea asks the UN Security Council to condemn Ethiopia and to take Chapter VII measures International community issues urgent warnings over the Horn of Africa Ethiopian federal police begin security operations in Mekelle Ethiopian Airlines to resume Mekelle flights on Sunday Amhara Fano National Movement claims ten towns in Shoa, most of them within 150km of Addis Ababa Getachew Reda declares the Tigray war over Abiy Ahmed holds a phone call with Netanyahu; ENA says they discussed bilateral ties and regional developments Somalia says it is neutral in the Ethiopia–Eritrea standoff and rejects claims it has sided with Egypt and Eritrea Sudan's army says it shot down a drone that entered from Ethiopia, without saying whose it was Rights monitor says Egyptian warplanes bombed gold miners inside Sudan, killing at least 72; survivors put the toll above 200 IOM says 139 died and 84 are missing after a boat sank off Djibouti; all 82 survivors are Ethiopians Suspended DDR programme resumes in Tigray; former fighters hand over weapons and register in Mekelle UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on northern Ethiopia at the United States' request Somaliland's foreign minister says Ethiopia has the right to defend itself and calls on the region to settle its disputes through dialogue

Ethiopian federal forces enter Adwa without resistance, residents say; Adwa Hospital and government offices looted overnight Tigray TV says Tigrayan fighters ambushed federal forces twice in the Kola Tembien mountains; the claim is unverified Eritrea's foreign ministry asks the African Union to restore its representation at AU headquarters; a similar letter went to UNECA Human Rights Watch says civilians have been killed by shelling in southern Tigray and some health facilities have closed Abiy Ahmed says he held a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio; ENA says they discussed bilateral, regional and multilateral issues UN releases a further 8.5 million dollars in emergency funds for northern Ethiopia UK threatens a total visa ban on Eritreans; restrictions on Eritrean diplomats take effect Eritrea asks the UN to take deterrent measures Getachew Reda urges the EU to impose targeted sanctions on Eritrea; Eritrea's information minister calls the accusations groundless Eritrea's information minister says the UAE sent Ethiopia 365 military shipments in nine months Ethiopian troops reach Zalambessa on the Eritrean border, Reuters reports Two of the seven groups named in Ethiopia's new rebel alliance say they are not part of it Drone hits Tigrai TV headquarters in Mekelle, taking the station off air EEPA says the Afar border is an active combat zone between Ethiopian and Eritrean forces, and cites unverified reports that Ethiopian troops crossed into Eritrea Pro-government Tigray militia says Eritrean troops have suffered heavy losses and are pulling back; Eritrea's information minister calls the militia untrustworthy Wazema says the Ethiopian army showed foreign military attachés weapons it says were captured in Mekelle, accusing Eritrea and Sudan of supplying them Ethiopia's Somali Regional State speaks publicly for the first time about the Somali soldiers who crossed the border, saying the case is going through legal and diplomatic channels Col. Tewolde says Tadesse Werede and his associates escaped rather than being released; the four have reached Mekelle Trump rejects Iran plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz Fighting spreads into Afar with clashes in Abala HRW: Mekelle airstrike should be investigated as a possible war crime Internet and phone lines cut across Tigray Young men leaving Tigray over forced-recruitment fears Sudanese army says it has taken Sodari in North Kordofan Wazema reports senior Tigray security officials detained in Mekelle Plane crash in DR Congo kills 17, including two senior military officials Ethiopia presses case for sea access at the UN General Assembly Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch calls for peace and reconciliation at Meskel Venezuela frees 39 political prisoners after talks with the opposition Djibouti price surge squeezes Ethiopian truck drivers as Yemen war clouds Red Sea route Saudi Arabia asks UN to protect Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea EU announces almost 710 million euros in new humanitarian and migration funding German and Russian foreign ministers hold first talks since 2022 UN rights chief warns Ethiopia against a return to full-scale war Seventeen killed in shooting at South African bar Eritrean riders in action at the World Championships in Montreal Burhan rejects US conditions for a truce Telecoms and internet cut in Tigray Sudan Tribune: RSF takes $4 a barrel from South Sudan oil exports At least 27 killed in two mass shootings in South African townships Sudanese doctors say RSF looted and wrecked hospital in recaptured Sodari UN says more than 400 Sudanese are crossing into Chad every day Drone strike hits major fuel depot in central Sudan Eritrea rejects Ethiopian army chief's accusation Fano says it captured army vehicles and weapons in Amhara Ethiopian army chief says forces are answering with wisdom and restraint Arrests near UK air base used by US forces Meskel celebrated across Eritrea, with Patriarch Abune Basilios leading prayers in Asmara President Taye presses Ethiopia's case for sea access and Security Council reform at the UN Patriarch Abune Mathias calls for peace at the Meskel Demera in Addis Ababa UN rights chief says five schools in Tigray were hit by airstrikes, urges de-escalation Japan urges compliance with the Pretoria Agreement; Britain condemns the Tigray forces' attacks Two killed as an RSF drone strikes a displacement shelter in El Obeid Saudi Arabia complains to the UN over a drone strike on its aid convoy in Sudan Eritrea takes part in the 195th UCI Congress in Montreal New 180,000 cubic metre dam inaugurated at Adi-Hawosha Sudan's attorney general rejected the UAE's hosting of the UN crime congress Sudan Tribune says an RSF faction commander joined the army with 50 fighters Trump rejected Iran's seven-day proposal; Iran says it will not back down Osman Saleh discussed Red Sea security with the foreign ministers of Algeria, Burkina Faso and Egypt Ethiopians sweep Berlin Marathon as Assefa misses world record by 1:08 Al Jazeera says the Ethiopian army has retaken Sekota; federal forces reported closing in on Alamata Sudan and Egypt reject Ethiopian army chief's accusation; Sudan says the RSF was aided from Ethiopian soil Afar party chief says Tigray forces seized three towns in Zones 2 and 4; AFP told Erebti has fallen Darfur authorities reopen the Tina crossing with Chad for aid deliveries Rising cost of living in Djibouti squeezes Ethiopian truck drivers on the corridor Afar president accuses the Eritrean army of taking part in the fighting Israel's foreign ministry says it is working to evacuate about 20 Israelis stranded in Lalibela Federal troops and Tigray forces fighting on three fronts: the army holds Alamata and Sekota, Tigray forces push into Afar UCI fines Girmay, Mulubrhan and Eritrea's sports director over team kit at the Worlds Sudan's army says it downed an RSF drone in North Kordofan as warplanes resume strikes on Nyala Explosion heard at Kombolcha airport as flights are suspended UN and AU back Obasanjo's renewed mediation and urge a return to direct talks in northern Ethiopia Red Cross moves 161 people, including African Union monitors and Ethiopian Airlines staff, from Mekelle to Semera Somali army and forces loyal to ousted South West president fight for Baidoa MSF says war-wounded at its Korem and Alamata hospitals rose from 180 to more than 420 in four days Ethiopia's Council of Ministers approves a redraft of the Defence Forces Proclamation and sends it to parliament Osman Saleh calls at the UN for an end to the war destabilising the Horn and to intervention "under the rubric of humanitarian assistance"EU allocates €61 million for Ethiopia as the UN says aid access is severely restricted UAE condemns TPLF attacks and declares full solidarity with Ethiopia's government Tigray forces close to cutting Ethiopia's Djibouti road; at least 150,000 displaced in Afar Six US senators urge Rubio to push for a return to Tigray talks and criticise the lapse of sanctions Al Jazeera says federal forces have pushed more than 150km into Tigray and taken Mekoni, Wajena and Adi Gudom Two drone explosions reported at Ethiopia's Bishoftu air force base; senior pilot Kassahun Lema killed Live: Eritrea v South Africa — Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Bloomberg says two explosions were heard in Addis Ababa as drone flights over the capital are suspended Pirates killed five crew of the hijacked tanker Honour 25 as Puntland forces recovered the ship and captured 16 Egypt's foreign minister demands Egypt's Nile water share be doubled and rejects any new dams DW says residents reported 11 killed and 15 wounded at the Alamata market; the claim could not be verified Ethiopia orders an Egyptian diplomat out within 48 hours; Egypt orders out a counsellor at Ethiopia's embassy in Cairo Ethiopia's Somali region council re-elects Mustafa Omer president and Ibrahim Osman Farah vice president Eritrea severs all diplomatic ties with Ethiopia and accuses it of invading Eritrean ports and coastal areas Ethiopia closes its embassy in Asmara and orders 10 Eritrean diplomats out within 48 hours BBC says at least 52 civilians were killed in three days of fighting around Alamata, with more than 700 wounded Bloomberg says Ethiopia plans to pull more than 3,000 troops out of Somalia; Somalia says it was given no notice Isaias Afwerki travels to Egypt for a heads-of-state summit on Red Sea and Nile Basin security Houthis say Saudi Arabia carried out air strikes on Sanaa and three Yemeni provinces Debretsion says the war has entered a new and decisive phase Osman Saleh meets US officials in Washington and welcomes the removal of unilateral sanctions African Union Commission urges Ethiopia, Eritrea and Egypt to exercise maximum restraint and return to diplomacy Residents say TPLF fighters are leaving Mekelle as federal forces retake the city's airport US State Department urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to show maximum restraint and return to the 2018 peace framework Isaias and el-Sisi hold extensive talks at New Alamein, Eritrea's Information Ministry says Somalia's president rejects any Israeli presence and says Mogadishu does not object to Ethiopian sea access through Somali territory UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on northern Ethiopia Sisi hosts a four-way meeting at New Alamein with Isaias, al-Burhan and Somalia's Hassan Sheikh Mohamud AFP says a drone strike on a displacement camp at Sheraro in north-western Tigray killed at least eight, including a child Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia issue El Alamein joint declaration: Red Sea governance rests with littoral states alone Abraham Belay says a new interim administration will be set up in Tigray with elections within months, and accuses Eritrean forces of fighting alongside the TPLF Ethiopia's parliament re-elects Abiy Ahmed prime minister and swears him in for a five-year term; Ahmed Shide elected Speaker Houthis say they struck Abha airport after losing ground at Bab el-Mandeb The Guardian says armed groups in Tigray are forcibly recruiting boys as young as 15; the TPLF rejects the accusation Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission calls on fighters in Tigray to hand over their weapons and enter demobilisation centres around Mekelle Addis Standard says federal police opened fire on residents in Negele Borana, killing a 17-year-old and wounding six UN says a UN agency warehouse and aid groups' stores in Tigray have been looted, disrupting relief work Adigrat residents say Eritrean soldiers in two trucks drove through the town; Yemane Gebremeskel denies any Eritrean presence Critical Threats Project says Fano fighters have cut federal supply routes to Mekelle on two highways Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of a troop incursion and demands an immediate withdrawal ACLED says Eritrean forces crossed the border at Zelambesa and that Ethiopian drones struck them at Guada UN Human Rights Council appoints Sihaka Tsemo of Cameroon as Special Rapporteur on human rights in Eritrea Residents say Tigray forces have withdrawn from Shire; federal troops had not entered the town US Embassy in Addis Ababa warns of possible long-range attacks on Ethiopian military installations and tells citizens to leave Amhara, Tigray and Afar Ethiopia's rights commission says the right to life and personal security have fallen into an alarming state; its chief commissioner calls the northern violence a localised clash, not a full-scale war Ethiopia takes its case against Eritrea to the UN as drone strikes raise tensions ACLED says federal forces have taken Idaga Hamus, Atsibi and Freweyni in eastern Tigray, with Adigrat expected next Getachew Reda promises visible change in Mekelle; intelligence chief Redwan Hussein meets him at the airport Egypt condemns the attack on Riyadh international airport Ethiopia's National Rehabilitation Commission names nine reception points in Tigray, calling it a final opportunity for TPLF combatants Abiy Ahmed reappoints Getachew Reda as adviser on East African affairs with the rank of minister Abiy Ahmed appoints 62 state ministers across 22 federal ministries Eritrea asks the UN Security Council to condemn Ethiopia and to take Chapter VII measures International community issues urgent warnings over the Horn of Africa Ethiopian federal police begin security operations in Mekelle Ethiopian Airlines to resume Mekelle flights on Sunday Amhara Fano National Movement claims ten towns in Shoa, most of them within 150km of Addis Ababa Getachew Reda declares the Tigray war over Abiy Ahmed holds a phone call with Netanyahu; ENA says they discussed bilateral ties and regional developments Somalia says it is neutral in the Ethiopia–Eritrea standoff and rejects claims it has sided with Egypt and Eritrea Sudan's army says it shot down a drone that entered from Ethiopia, without saying whose it was Rights monitor says Egyptian warplanes bombed gold miners inside Sudan, killing at least 72; survivors put the toll above 200 IOM says 139 died and 84 are missing after a boat sank off Djibouti; all 82 survivors are Ethiopians Suspended DDR programme resumes in Tigray; former fighters hand over weapons and register in Mekelle UN Security Council to hold closed consultations on northern Ethiopia at the United States' request Somaliland's foreign minister says Ethiopia has the right to defend itself and calls on the region to settle its disputes through dialogue

Eritrea

UK threatens a total visa ban on Eritreans; restrictions on Eritrean diplomats take effect

The Home Office says the limits on Eritrean diplomats mirror restrictions on British officials in Asmara. Eritrea's government has not responded publicly.

Thursday, 15 October 2026ናትና ዜና

UK Government (gov.uk, Open Government Licence) — official portrait of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood

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The BBC reported that UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has warned of a complete visa ban on Eritreans unless Eritrea accepts more returns. From Thursday, Eritrean diplomats may not travel more than 60km outside London without permission, and fast-track visas for Eritrean officials end.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said Britain could bar all Eritrean nationals from entering the country unless Eritrea accepts the return of more small-boat migrants and foreign national offenders, the BBC reported on 14 October.

Measures taking effect on Thursday restrict Eritrean diplomats in Britain from travelling more than 60km outside London without permission, and end fast-track visas for Eritrean officials.

The Home Office said the limits mirror restrictions placed on British officials in Asmara, and accused Eritrean authorities of abruptly withdrawing cooperation earlier this year.

Eritreans were the most common nationality among small-boat arrivals in the 12 months to June, at 18 per cent. Eritrea's government had not responded publicly.

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