Italy had a dispute with Abyssinia at Wal-Wal Oasis -> Italy invaded Abyssinia -> Abyssinian Emperor Haile Selassie went to the LON and asked for help. As Abyssinia had common borders with British colonies and was closer to Europe, the LON had more reason to intervene. They imposed limited economic sanctions on Italy. However, Britain and France, who were allies of Italy under the Stresa Front and owned the Suez Canal, did not close it to Italian ships, fearing that they would make an enemy of Italy and its leader, Mussolini.