US lifts sanctions on Eritrea with Red Sea in focus

US lifts sanctions on Eritrea with Red Sea in focus Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 09/18/2026 - 17:29 Proximity to Yemen puts Asmara at centre of growing strategic competition over Red Sea, amid Houthi military offensive Pedestrians cross a busy intersection in Asmara, Eritrea, on 4 October 2025 (Jemal Countess/AFP) Off The US has lifted sanctions on the Eritrean military and key entities on Friday, as the African country comes under renewed focus because of its strategic location on the Red Sea across from Yemen.