Rubio Urges Restraint as Ethiopia-Eritrea Tensions Escalate, Civilians Reported Killed

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Ethiopia and Eritrea to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic dialogue as renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia raises fears of a wider conflict in the Horn of Africa.

Rubio made the appeal during a telephone conversation with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Wednesday, October 14, according to the US State Department. He called on countries in the region to respect one another’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and avoid cross-border military incursions.

The diplomatic intervention comes amid growing tensions between the neighbouring countries and renewed hostilities in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. The fighting threatens the fragile peace established after the devastating 2020–2022 Tigray war and has heightened concerns about another major humanitarian crisis.

Human Rights Watch has received reports of civilians killed and injured by shelling in southern Tigray, the organisation’s deputy Africa director, Laetitia Bader, told The Associated Press. She said the shelling had also forced some health facilities to close, further restricting access to medical care.

Bader called for independent monitoring, the restoration of communications and safe humanitarian access to affected communities. The rights group’s account did not establish which party was responsible for the shelling.

Ethiopia has accused Eritrean troops of crossing its border and occupying parts of its territory. In a letter to the United Nations Security Council, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos said his country was taking measures in self-defence. The Associated Press reported that it could not independently verify Ethiopia’s allegations.

Eritrea, meanwhile, has rejected Ethiopia’s accusations and urged the Security Council to condemn what it described as a “deplorable declaration of war” by Addis Ababa. Eritrea’s response did not confirm or deny the alleged troop movements.

The dispute is also linked to Ethiopia’s pursuit of access to the Red Sea. Ethiopia became landlocked when Eritrea gained independence in 1993, and its interest in securing maritime access has become a source of friction between the two countries.

The current escalation follows a period of deteriorating relations despite the 2018 peace agreement. Both countries’ forces fought on the same side during the later Tigray conflict, which researchers estimate caused about 500,000 deaths from violence, famine and the collapse of health services.

Recent developments have raised concerns about the safety of civilians and the possibility of further displacement if the fighting intensifies. Humanitarian organisations have called for access to affected areas and measures to protect civilians and medical facilities.

Rubio’s appeal underscores Washington’s concern that further military escalation could destabilise the wider Horn of Africa. Whether renewed diplomacy can prevent a broader confrontation remains uncertain as the two governments continue to exchange serious accusations.