Overview

• France has expelled 12 Algerian consular and diplomatic agents and recalled its ambassador from Algeria, mirroring actions taken by Algeria earlier this week.
• The escalation follows Algeria's expulsion of 12 French officials in response to the detention of an Algerian consular agent in France, accused of involvement in a kidnapping case.
• French officials have described Algeria's actions as a 'brutal degradation' of bilateral relations, while also calling for a return to dialogue.
• Efforts to de-escalate tensions, including a recent phone call between Presidents Macron and Tebboune, have been effectively nullified by these retaliatory measures.
• The crisis highlights broader, long-standing disputes over national security, migration policy, and judicial independence, further straining diplomatic ties.