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Algeria and Mali have announced the suspension of flights between their airspaces, a move that highlights the increasing diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The conflict began when Algeria reported the downing of a drone that was allegedly violating its airspace near Tinzaouaten. Mali disputed this claim, stating that the drone wreckage was found 9.5 kilometers south of the border and accused Algeria of supporting terrorism.
On April 1, Algeria’s defense ministry reported that it had shot down an armed surveillance drone that entered its airspace. Mali countered by asserting that the drone was downed during the night of March 31 to April 1. In response, Algeria’s Foreign Ministry claimed radar data confirmed a 1.6-kilometer breach of its airspace and justified the flight ban due to ongoing violations by Mali. Algeria denied any wrongdoing and suggested Mali was attempting to divert attention from its internal issues.
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Mali’s transport and infrastructure ministry subsequently announced the closure of its airspace to Algerian flights, accusing Algeria of continuing to sponsor international terrorism without providing specific evidence. Following these events, Mali, along with its allies Burkina Faso and Niger, recalled their ambassadors from Algeria for consultations. Algeria retaliated by recalling its ambassadors from Niger and Mali and delaying the arrival of its new ambassador to Burkina Faso. The three junta-led nations condemned Algeria’s actions in a joint statement, calling them “irresponsible.”
