The United States has lifted sanctions against Eritrea’s ruling party and military that were imposed by the former Biden administration.

Axar.az reports, citing the Associated Press, that the sanctions were introduced in 2021 over humanitarian and human rights concerns linked to the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control also removed sanctions against several Eritrean individuals, including financial official Hagos Ghebrehiwet, as well as the Red Sea Trading Corporation, which is linked to Eritrea’s ruling party.

Eritrean Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel welcomed the decision, saying the sanctions had been unwarranted and caused significant damage to the country.

The move comes amid growing concerns over security in the Red Sea, as Houthi advances in Yemen have increased threats to shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.