Mali’s transitional authorities have lodged a case at the International Court of Justice, accusing Algeria of “aggression” for shooting down a Malian military reconnaissance drone along their shared desert frontier, the Ministry of Territorial Administration said on Thursday.
The ministry said the aircraft was deliberately brought down during the night of March 31–April 1 near Tinzaouaten in Mali’s Kidal region, alleging the action was intended to obstruct Malian operations against armed groups. It called the incident a violation of the principle of non-use of force and the culmination of “hostile acts” previously denounced by Bamako.
Mali added it had repeatedly asked Algiers to provide evidence that the drone had crossed into Algerian airspace, but said it had received no response.
Algeria’s foreign ministry could not immediately be reached for comment. Algiers has previously said its forces shot down an armed surveillance drone that violated Algerian airspace near the border.