Tensions between Algeria and Mali reached new heights as both nations imposed reciprocal flight bans following the shooting down of a Malian drone near their shared border. The diplomatic row erupted after Algeria’s military destroyed what it called an “armed reconnaissance drone” that allegedly violated its airspace last week, a claim Mali strongly denies.
Mali’s security ministry condemned the incident as a “premeditated hostile action,” accusing Algeria of sponsoring terrorism in the Sahel region—an allegation Algiers dismissed as baseless. The Malian junta, along with allies Niger and Burkina Faso, recalled their ambassadors from Algeria and announced plans to file complaints with international bodies.
Algeria’s defense ministry revealed this marks the third airspace violation by Mali in recent months, prompting its airspace closure. Meanwhile, Mali claims the drone wreckage was found 9.5km inside its territory, contradicting Algeria’s assertion that the aircraft penetrated 2km into its border area. The dispute further strains relations already weakened since Mali’s 2020 military coup, with Algeria recently boosting border security against potential militant infiltration from its southern neighbor.
