💢 The Trump administration has lifted sanctions on the Eritrean Defense Forces, the ruling PFDJ and other Eritrean entities, formally ending measures imposed by the Biden administration over Eritrea’s role in Ethiopia’s Tigray war.

The timing puts Eritrea’s geography back in focus. Its southern coastline and the port of Assab sit directly across the Red Sea from Yemen and close to the Bab el-Mandeb, where the Houthis have recently seized territory and islands and sharply increased their ability to threaten shipping. Washington had already described improved ties with Asmara as serving U.S. regional interests as the Red Sea becomes increasingly contested.

Eritrea previously allowed Saudi and Emirati forces to use its territory during the earlier war against the Houthis, including Assab. There is no indication yet that Asmara will again provide a military platform, and Eritrean officials have publicly opposed another military campaign in Yemen.

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