Algeria and Mali have both restricted their airspace to flights from each other amid escalating tensions following the downing of a drone near their shared border.
On Sunday, Mali accused Algeria of being a supporter and exporter of terrorism, making this claim without providing evidence, after Algeria shot down one of its drones the previous week.
Algeria initiated the airspace ban for flights to and from Mali, which was soon reciprocated by Mali, stating it would also prohibit all Algerian flights.
Mali’s foreign ministry issued a strongly worded statement on Sunday, disputing Algeria’s claim that the unmanned surveillance drone had breached its airspace. The statement characterized the drone’s downing as a “hostile premeditated action.” In response, Algeria dismissed the terrorism allegations as “unserious” and not worthy of a response.
Mali’s military is engaged in combat against ethnic Tuareg separatists in the northern region, particularly in the town of Tinzaoutin, which lies along the Mali-Algeria border.
The incident involving the drone has heightened diplomatic tensions, prompting Mali, along with its allies Niger and Burkina Faso, to recall their ambassadors from Algiers.
Last year, these three junta-led nations established a regional coalition known as the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
In a joint statement condemning Algeria, they asserted that the drone’s downing “prevented the neutralization of a terrorist group planning attacks against the AES.”
Mali has also summoned the Algerian ambassador in Bamako regarding the incident and announced its intention to lodge a complaint with “international bodies.” Additionally, it has withdrawn from a regional security alliance that includes Algeria.
In its reply on Monday, Algeria expressed “deep dismay” at the statements from Mali and the AES, labeling Mali’s accusations as an effort to distract from its own shortcomings.
The statement also indicated that this marks the third instance of airspace infringement in recent months.
“Given the ongoing violations of our airspace by Mali, the Algerian government has made the decision to close it to all air traffic to and from Mali, effective immediately,” announced Algeria’s defense ministry on Monday.
Last Wednesday, Algeria confirmed that it had downed an “armed reconnaissance drone” near Tinzaoutin, stating it had “intruded into our airspace by 2 kilometers.”
However, the junta in Bamako refuted the claim, asserting that the drone’s wreckage was discovered 9.5 kilometers within its territory.
Providing further clarification on Monday, Algeria explained that the drone had entered its airspace, exited, and then returned on a trajectory suggesting an attack.
Mali frequently accuses Algeria of harboring Tuareg armed groups.
Historically, Algeria played a significant role as a mediator during over a decade of conflict between Mali and the separatists. However, relations have deteriorated since 2020, following the military takeover in Bamako.
In response to security concerns, Algeria has recently stationed troops along its borders to thwart the infiltration of militants and weapons from jihadist factions operating in Mali and other nations within the Sahel region of West Africa.
