Algeria Closes Airspace to Mali as Diplomatic Crisis Escalates

Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso recall ambassadors after accusing Algeria of destroying a Malian drone, a claim Algeria disputes while citing airspace violations.

• Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have recalled their ambassadors from Algeria, asserting that Algeria deliberately destroyed a Malian military drone on Malian territory.
• Algeria has denied the accusations, claiming the drone violated its airspace and citing radar evidence of repeated breaches by Malian drones in recent months.
• Algeria responded to the diplomatic row by closing its airspace to all aircraft from Mali and recalling its own ambassadors from Mali and Niger, while delaying ambassadorial appointments to Burkina Faso.
• The destroyed Malian drone was reportedly located 9.5 km south of the Algerian border, with evidence suggesting it was downed by missile fire, according to Mali's investigation.
• This crisis marks the latest in a series of deteriorating relations between Mali and Algeria, following prior diplomatic disputes and Mali’s withdrawal from the 2015 peace agreement brokered by Algeria.

6 Articles

Le Figaro Le Journal du Dimanche Le Parisien L'Express Le Figaro Ouest-France