The United States has lifted an arms embargo imposed on Ethiopia during the Tigray war, marking a significant shift in Washington’s relationship with Addis Ababa amid growing tensions across the Horn of Africa.

The decision was announced on Thursday, May 14, 2026, by the US State Department’s Directorate of Defence Trade Controls, which confirmed that Ethiopia had been removed from the list of countries subject to a “policy of denial” under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

The restrictions were first introduced in September 2021 as fighting intensified between Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

Washington cited worsening humanitarian conditions and escalating hostilities as reasons for blocking controlled defence exports to both Ethiopia and Eritrea.

The conflict, which began in November 2020, ended with the signing of the Pretoria peace agreement in November 2022. However, tensions have continued in northern Ethiopia, with the TPLF recently accusing Addis Ababa of violating parts of the ceasefire arrangement.

The lifting of the embargo comes as the US is also reportedly considering easing sanctions on Eritrea, a key regional player whose relations with Ethiopia have deteriorated sharply over the past year.

Regional tensions have been fuelled partly by Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access, a move that has alarmed Eritrea and heightened fears of renewed conflict between the neighbouring states.

During the embargo period, Ethiopia increasingly sourced military equipment from countries including Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Azerbaijan.

• The US has not publicly commented on reports that it is attempting to mediate between Ethiopia and Eritrea.