Algeria Blocks Malian Flights as Tensions Escalate Over Drone Incident

The diplomatic fallout between Algeria and the Sahel States intensifies with accusations of airspace violations, terrorism support, and regional destabilization.

Algeria has closed its airspace to Malian flights following the downing of a Malian military drone near the border town of Tin Zaouatine.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has recalled ambassadors from Algeria, condemning the drone's destruction as an act of aggression.
Algeria claims the drone violated its airspace by over 2 kilometers, while Mali asserts it was operating within its own territory, 10 kilometers from the border.
Mali’s Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maiga, has accused Algeria of supporting international terrorism, further straining relations.
The crisis highlights shifting regional alliances, with AES nations distancing themselves from traditional blocs like ECOWAS and deepening ties with Russia.