Algeria Closes Airspace to Mali, Rejects Accusations of Jeopadising Malian Counterterrorism Efforts in Drone Incident

The escalation of diplomatic tensions between the Algerian government and Mali has taken another turn as Algeria announced the immediate closure of its airspace for all flights to and from Mali.

The decision comes amid rising accusations and counter-accusations between the two countries following the destruction of a Malian military drone.

Citing “repeated violations” of Algerian airspace by the Malian state, the Algerian Ministry of Defense declared that, effective April 7, 2025, all Malian air traffic would be barred from entering or exiting Algerian airspace.

The move follows criticism from the Malian government earlier this week, which accused Algeria of committing an “act of aggression” by destroying a Malian drone operating within its territory.

In response, Algeria issued a firm rejection of Mali’s accusations. In a statement, the Algerian authorities denounced what they called “malicious and systematically unfounded attitudes” from the Malian government.

The statement went on to say that the “ruling junta” in Bamako is attempting to “make Algeria a scapegoat” for Mali’s internal challenges and failures, which continue to exact a heavy toll on the Malian people.

Algeria strongly rejects this tendency, present in all the malicious and systematically unfounded attitudes by which the junta of coup plotters currently oppressing Mali vainly attempts to make our country a scapegoat for the setbacks and misfortunes for which the Malian people are paying the heaviest price, statement reads in part.

It will be recalled that a report by AESInfo noted that the drone was tracking Iyad Ag Ghali, a top JNIM terrorist leader wanted by the International Criminal Court(ICC) for crimes against humanity and had been located near Tinzaouatène.

Mali suspects Algeria acted deliberately to protect Ag Ghali, citing past allegations of ties between him and Algerian intelligence. While Algeria claimed the drone violated its airspace, Mali questions the timing, noting similar drones have flown in the region without issue.

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