Algeria Cuts Diplomatic Ties with UAE

Algeria severed diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, citing what the Algerian government described as provocative and hostile acts. The Algerian Defense Ministry announced that the country will close its airspace to the UAE starting Friday, though commercial flights to and from Algiers are permitted to continue until the end of 2026.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry stated that the decision was made after exhausting all avenues to preserve bilateral relations. According to the ministry, the UAE had persisted in actions that were no longer considered acceptable or tolerable. Algiers has ordered the Emirati ambassador to leave the country within 48 hours.

Algerian officials have accused the UAE of destabilizing nations across northern Africa and the Sahel, specifically citing Libya, Mali, and Sudan. In July, Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune publicly criticized the UAE’s regional influence, alleging that the country’s involvement in other nations has led to violence.

The UAE has faced international accusations of supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan’s civil war, a claim the Emirati government denies. Additionally, the UAE has been linked to support for Khalifa Haftar’s administration in eastern Libya, which opposes the UN-recognized government in Tripoli.

In response to the severance of ties, the Emirati Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing hope that the decision would be temporary. The ministry emphasized the importance of maintaining fraternal bonds between the two nations and noted its appreciation for the Algerian community residing in the UAE.

Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic advisor to UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, commented on the situation via social media, stating that diplomatic relations should be based on rationality and clear communication rather than signals that require decoding. He did not explicitly name Algeria in his remarks.

Relations between the two nations have been strained for several years due to the UAE’s expanding influence in the region. This move follows Algeria’s 2021 decision to sever diplomatic ties with neighboring Morocco, which was prompted by disputes over Western Sahara and allegations regarding support for separatists in the Kabylia region.

Article and image source: allafrica.com