Algeria has announced a ban on all flights to and from Mali, citing repeated breaches of its airspace.
This decision, revealed by the Defence Ministry on Monday, intensifies an ongoing diplomatic crisis between the two nations.
The move follows an incident on April 1st where Algeria’s army reported downing an armed surveillance drone near Tinzaouaten.
Mali disputed this account, stating the wreckage of their drone was located south of the shared border.
Algeria’s Foreign Ministry countered, asserting that radar data confirmed a 1.6 km airspace violation.
This escalating tension prompted Mali, along with allies Burkina Faso and Niger, to recall their ambassadors from Algeria for consultations on Sunday.
In a swift response on Monday, Algeria recalled its ambassadors to both Niger and Mali.
They also postponed the scheduled start date for their new ambassador in Burkina Faso, signaling a significant downturn in regional relations.
The three Sahel nations issued a joint statement condemning what they termed an “irresponsible act by the Algerian regime,” further highlighting the deepening diplomatic chasm.
