Algeria has shut its airspace to all flights to and from Mali, following an escalating dispute over a drone shot down near their shared border.
The fallout began after Mali accused Algeria of targeting one of its drones, claiming the act was deliberate and provocative. In a strongly worded statement, Mali’s foreign ministry dismissed Algeria’s claim that the drone had breached its airspace, calling the incident a “hostile premeditated action.” Algeria, in turn, brushed off the accusations, saying they lacked seriousness and did not merit a response.
Mali’s military is currently engaged in conflict with ethnic Tuareg separatists based in the north, particularly in Tinzaoutin—a town straddling the Mali-Algeria border. The drone incident has heightened diplomatic friction, prompting Mali and its allies, Niger and Burkina Faso, to recall their ambassadors from Algiers.
These three countries form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc created last year. In a joint statement, AES claimed the downed drone was on a mission to neutralize a terrorist group threatening the region, and accused Algeria of obstructing that operation.
Mali also summoned the Algerian ambassador in Bamako and announced plans to file a formal complaint with international organizations. It has further withdrawn from a regional security alliance involving Algeria.
In its Monday response, Algeria expressed “deep dismay” over the accusations, framing them as attempts by Mali to deflect from its own internal issues. Algeria noted this was the third time its airspace had been violated recently, which led to its decision to impose the airspace ban.
Algerian officials confirmed that an armed reconnaissance drone had been shot down near Tinzaoutin after it allegedly entered and exited Algerian airspace before returning in what they described as an attack formation. Mali, however, insisted the wreckage was found nearly 10 kilometers within its own territory.
Tensions between the two countries have been building, especially since Mali’s military takeover in 2020. Mali frequently accuses Algeria of harboring Tuareg rebels. Although Algeria previously served as a key mediator in Mali’s northern conflict, relations have since deteriorated.
In response to the worsening security situation, Algeria has recently reinforced its border with troops to stop militants and weapons from crossing into its territory from Mali and the wider Sahel region.
