Overview

• French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has warned of severe retaliation if Algeria proceeds with the expulsion of 12 French diplomats within the 48-hour deadline.
• Algeria's expulsion order follows the arrest of an Algerian consular employee in Paris, accused of involvement in the 2024 kidnapping of opposition figure Amir DZ.
• Amir DZ, a political refugee and social media influencer in France, is at the center of the dispute, with Algeria demanding his extradition on charges of fraud and terrorism.
• The crisis reflects broader tensions tied to colonial history, migration policies, and national security disputes, which have long strained France-Algeria relations.
• Recent efforts at reconciliation between French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune have been derailed by the escalating diplomatic conflict.