Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the expulsion of seven top UN employees on Thursday, two days after the UN's humanitarian director warned that a government blockade of supplies has likely put hundreds of thousands of people in Tigray's northern region into famine.

International condemnation of the situation in Tigray is growing, and all parties battling in northern Ethiopia could face sanctions from the US government.

On Thursday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the US condemns the expulsions and will not hesitate to impose sanctions on individuals who hinder humanitarian aid efforts.

Many countries are concerned that Ethiopia's escalating conflict, which is Africa's second-most populous country and a regional diplomatic heavyweight, could further destabilize an already fragile area.

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) country directors and the head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are among the seven officials being expelled (OCHA). The seven have 72 hours to leave, according to the ministry, which accuses them of "interfering" in internal affairs.