US Lifts Sanctions on Eritrea Amid Red Sea Focus

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Washington: The United States lifted sanctions against Eritrea's military, governing party, and other entities, which were imposed in 2021 due to the conflict in neighbouring Ethiopia.

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control withdrew the Eritrean Defence Forces and the People's Front for Democracy and Justice from its sanctions list after the national emergency that prompted the restrictions expired.

The sanctions were imposed during the Tigray conflict, when Eritrean forces assisted Ethiopian troops fighting in Ethiopia's northern Tigray area.

The decision comes as Washington renews its strategic focus on the Red Sea, where Eritrea has a lengthy coastline opposite Saudi Arabia and is close to major international maritime routes. Analysts believe the decision will help bolster US ties with Asmara.

The suspension of the measures limits itself to sanctions relating to Ethiopia's national emergency and does not necessarily remove all US limitations on Eritrea.