Ethiopia expels 6 Sudanese consular staff and orders consulate closed, officials say

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) , Ethiopia has expelled six staff members of Sudan's consulate in Assosa, a western city near the Sudanese border, and ordered the mission closed, Ethiopian and Sudanese officials said.

The action comes amid Sudan's accusations that drones attacking its infrastructure are being launched from Ethiopian territory. The latest expulsions follow Ethiopia's decision to kick out 10 Eritrean diplomats and close its embassy in Eritrea on Oct. 1. Eritrea responded by severing diplomatic ties. Ethiopia also expelled an Egyptian diplomat last month. Relations with Egypt have long been strained over Ethiopia's massive dam on the Blue Nile, which Cairo fears could threaten its water supplies.

An Ethiopian intelligence official said the six Sudanese consular staff were given 48 hours to leave the country. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.

A Sudanese official corroborated the expulsions, adding that Ethiopian authorities had summoned Sudan's ambassador on Sunday to announce the consulate's closure. He said the staff departed Tuesday evening and spoke on condition of anonymity because he did not want to escalate the diplomatic dispute.