U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is calling for de-escalation in the Horn of Africa amid renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia. He spoke with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday, urging dialogue under the 2018 peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Recent clashes in the Tigray region have undermined a 2022 peace agreement. Ethiopia accuses Eritrean troops of occupying its territory, while Eritrea condemned Ethiopia for what he called a declaration of war. Human Rights Watch reports civilian casualties from shelling in southern Tigray. The situation reflects tensions over Ethiopia's pursuit of access to the Red Sea.