Italy is "extremely concerned" by the escalating conflict in Ethiopia between Tigrayan forces from the country's north and the central government, the foreign ministry tweeted on Thursday.
"Italy is extremely concerned by the further deterioration of the security environment in Ethiopia over the last few days, which represents a serious risk for the stability of the country and the wider region," read the tweet.
Prime minister Abiy Ahmed's government declared a state of emergency on Tuesday as Tigrayan forces said they had made advances towards the capital, Addis Ababa, this week.
"Italy calls upon all parties involved to immediately stop the fighting and start genuine and credible negotiations, for the sake of the Ethiopian people and to prevent a further worsening of the humanitarian crisis," read a second tweet.
The year-old conflict pits the central government against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies. The fighting has killed thousands, displaced over two million and left millions more short of food.
African and other Western nations also called for an immediate ceasefire in Ethiopia on Thursday.
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