Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have withdrawn their ambassadors from Algeria after accusing Algerian forces of downing a Malian drone. Algeria confirmed the incident, which has intensified diplomatic tensions and led to Algeria closing its airspace to Malian flights.
Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso have collectively announced the withdrawal of their ambassadors from Algeria, attributing this decision to an alleged incident in which Algerian forces shot down a Malian drone. This announcement followed Mali’s assertions that the drone was downed on its own territory in late March, which prompted a vehement response from the regional allies in a joint statement.
On April 1, Algeria confirmed the downing of an armed reconnaissance drone within its airspace, yet did not elaborate on the specifics of the incident. In a separate announcement, Mali’s foreign ministry declared the conclusion that the drone was targeted in what they termed a “hostile premeditated action by the Algerian regime.” The wreckage was reportedly located 9.5 kilometers south of the Algerian border and was shot down using either a ground-to-air or air-to-air missile.
Mali condemned the action as an “unprecedented act of aggression” and criticized it as a “hostile, unfriendly, and condescending action by the Algerian authorities.” Algeria, while refraining from immediate comments regarding the ambassadors’ withdrawal, stated on the same day that it would be closing its airspace to flights arriving from or departing to Mali. The Algerian defense ministry attributed this decision to repeated violations of its airspace by Malian aircraft.
In summary, the diplomatic relations between Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Algeria have reached a critical juncture following the downing of a Malian drone. Mali’s firm accusations and subsequent actions reflect heightened tensions in the region, exacerbated by Algeria’s closure of its airspace in response to alleged violations by Mali. These developments signify a potential deterioration in bilateral relations among these nations.
Original Source: dailytrust.com
