Algeria has severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two countries after years of deteriorating ties.
Algerian state media said on Thursday that the decision was taken after the “exhaustion of all means to preserve bilateral ties,” without giving further details on the immediate reason for the move.
The UAE Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Relations between Algiers and Abu Dhabi have grown increasingly strained in recent years, with Algerian media frequently accusing the UAE of interfering in regional affairs and attempting to fuel instability.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune last year openly praised Algeria’s relations with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar while singling out one unnamed Gulf country for criticism, widely understood to be a reference to the UAE.
Tebboune accused that country of meddling in Algeria’s internal affairs and seeking to destabilise the country.
Tensions intensified further in February when Algeria began the process of cancelling a bilateral air services agreement with the UAE that had been signed in Abu Dhabi in May 2013.
Thursday’s move represents the most serious rupture yet between the two governments and formally ends diplomatic relations after months of mounting hostility.
