Turkey has relocated its Ethiopian embassy to Kenya in the face of increasing threats over the role of Turkish drones in the clashes between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray rebels, proving the warnings about potential impacts of Ankara’s drones sale to foreign countries without setting restrictions. 

The relocation was first reported by veteran diplomatic correspondent Barcin Yinanc. While the Turkish government remains mum, a diplomatic source, speaking to Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, confirmed the move. 

The threats to the embassy intensified by November, another source close to the government told Al-Monitor. The Turkish Foreign Ministry decided to move embassy activities to neighboring Kenya in mid-December after advanced weapons were found as near as 200 meters from the embassy compound, the source added.

Ankara’s role in clashes between the Ethiopian government and separatist Tigray rebels in the north have become controversial both in Ethiopia and the international community after Turkey sold Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Addis Ababa.