Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have withdrawn their ambassadors from Algeria after alleging that an Algerian force shot down a Malian drone. This incident has escalated tensions, leading Algeria to close its airspace to Mali due to reported airspace violations. Both sides have expressed strong condemnation of each other’s actions.

On a recent joint statement, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso announced the withdrawal of their ambassadors from Algeria. This action followed Mali’s accusation that Algerian forces shot down a Malian drone over its territory in late March. Algeria confirmed on April 1 that it had downed an armed reconnaissance drone in its airspace but did not provide further details.

Mali’s foreign ministry asserted it had determined that the drone was shot down in a “hostile premeditated action by the Algerian regime.” They noted that wreckage of the drone was located 9.5 kilometers south of the Algerian border and suggested it was brought down by a ground-to-air or air-to-air missile.

The ministry characterized the incident as an “unprecedented act of aggression,” condemning Algeria’s actions as hostile and condescending. In response to these tensions, Algeria subsequently announced the closure of its airspace to aircraft traveling to or from Mali, citing repeated violations of its airspace by the Malian government.

The withdrawal of ambassadors by Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso from Algeria underscores rising tensions following the downing of a Malian drone. Both nations exchanged severe accusations, with Mali condemning the act as aggressive while Algeria took defensive measures by closing its airspace. These developments highlight the ongoing complexities within regional military alliances and the delicate balance of power in West Africa.

Original Source: dailytrust.com