Overview

• Mali filed a case at the International Court of Justice on Sept. 4 accusing Algeria of aggression and violating the principle of non-use of force.
• Bamako says a Malian reconnaissance drone was deliberately downed during the night of Mar. 31–Apr. 1 near Tinzaouaten to disrupt operations against armed groups.
• Algeria’s army previously said it shot down an armed surveillance drone that entered Algerian airspace near Tin Zaouatine and did not identify its owner.
• Mali says it sought evidence of any airspace violation and received none, while reporters noted Algeria did not comment on the filing.
• The dispute comes as relations have deteriorated since Mali’s 2020–2021 coups, with the junta expelling French forces and turning to Russia as insurgent violence persists.