Algeria-Mali Tensions Soar as Both Countries Close Airspace After Drone Incident
South Sudan official speaking on visa revocation issues related to nationality mix-up.
Tensions between Algeria and Mali have surged after Algeria shot down a Malian drone near their shared border, prompting both nations to ban flights from the other country from entering their airspace. Mali condemned Algeria’s drone shooting as “hostile” and accused Algiers of supporting terrorism. However, Algeria dismissed the claims, calling them baseless. According to Algiers, the drone violated its airspace by 2km, prompting its takedown. The incident, which happened near Tinzaoutin, a hotspot for Tuareg separatists, triggered Mali and its AES allies, Burkina Faso and Niger, to recall their ambassadors from Algiers. Mali has since summoned the Algerian ambassador and plans to file a complaint with international bodies. It also exited a regional security arrangement that includes Algeria.
BBC