Algeria has suspended all flights to and from Mali following a diplomatic dispute over airspace violations, the Defence Ministry announced on Monday.
The crisis escalated after Algeria’s military shot down an armed surveillance drone on April 1 for breaching its airspace near the Saharan town of Tinzaouaten. While Algeria maintains the drone violated its territory, Mali insists the wreckage was found 5.9 miles from the border.
Algeria’s Foreign Ministry revealed that radar data confirmed the drone had strayed 1.6 kilometers into Algerian airspace. In response to the incident, Mali, along with Burkina Faso and Niger, recalled its ambassadors from Algeria for consultations.
The three Sahel nations condemned the actions of the Algerian government as “irresponsible” in a joint statement issued on Sunday. Algeria swiftly retaliated by recalling its ambassadors from Mali and Niger, and delaying the appointment of a new envoy to Burkina Faso.
This diplomatic breakdown marks the latest chapter in growing tensions between Algeria and its regional neighbors. The move comes as the Sahel region faces increasing instability, with military coups and security concerns dominating regional politics.
As the situation develops, the broader implications for regional cooperation remain uncertain, with the potential for further deterioration in relations among these key African nations.