Tensions are running high in East Africa due to clashes between the Ethiopian government forces and armed groups.

Amid reports that seven armed groups, including the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), have formed an anti-government alliance centering on the northern Tigray region and are engaged in battles with government troops, explosions have reportedly been heard even in the capital city of Addis Ababa.

According to local time on the 1st, AP and AFP news agencies, and the British broadcaster BBC, residents and diplomatic sources reported that multiple explosions were heard in Addis Ababa starting the previous night.

Explosions were also reportedly heard near a military headquarters in western Addis Ababa.

According to BBC reports, clashes between government forces and rebels over the past few days have left 52 civilians dead, and 33 tourists have been stranded for a week in Lalibela, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The Ethiopian government claimed that neighboring Eritrea is behind the unrest and expelled Eritrean diplomats stationed in the country.

Eritrea responded by declaring a severance of diplomatic ties with Ethiopia.

Eritrea has experienced conflicts with Ethiopia over border disputes since gaining independence from Ethiopia in 1993.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)