Algeria has severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing the Gulf country of engaging in a series of “provocative or hostile” actions despite repeated warnings.
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision on Thursday, saying the situation had reached a point where it could no longer continue efforts to maintain diplomatic relations with the UAE.
According to the ministry, the UAE ambassador was summoned and formally informed of the decision. He was reportedly given 48 hours to comply with the directive.
Algeria has also announced restrictions on UAE-registered civilian and military aircraft using its airspace, with the measure expected to take effect from Friday.
Ennahar TV reported that the decision was announced by Algeria’s Defence Ministry.
However, UAE commercial flights operating to and from Algiers are expected to continue until the end of 2026, when the existing aviation agreement between both countries expires.
UAE Reacts
The UAE has expressed hope that the diplomatic rupture will not become permanent.
In a statement issued on Thursday, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country continues to value its relationship with the Algerian people and the longstanding ties between citizens of both nations.
The ministry highlighted the Algerian community living in the UAE as well as Algerian visitors to the country.
The UAE’s diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, also appeared to respond to the development in a post on X, although he did not directly mention Algeria.
Gargash said diplomatic relations should be guided by “rationality, communication and clarity of interests” rather than “riddles and signals that require decoding.”
Relations Have Deteriorated
Relations between Algeria and the UAE have deteriorated significantly in recent years, with both countries adopting opposing positions on several major regional issues.
One key disagreement concerns Israel.
Algeria strongly opposes the normalization of relations with Israel, while the UAE established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords.
Morocco, Algeria’s regional rival, also normalized relations with Israel under the same agreement.
Western Sahara Dispute
The disputed Western Sahara territory remains another major source of tension.
The UAE supports Morocco’s claim over Western Sahara and has established a consulate in the territory.
Algeria, meanwhile, supports the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara.
The two countries have also adopted different positions regarding political and security developments across the Sahel region.
While the UAE has strengthened its relationships with several governments in the region, Algeria has experienced increasingly strained relations with some of its southern neighbours following a wave of military coups.
Tebboune’s Criticism of UAE
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has previously made strong criticisms of the UAE.
During a televised interview in July, Tebboune referred to the UAE as a “micro-state” or “statelet” and accused it of seeking to destabilize countries across the region.
“Wherever they set foot, blood flows,” he said.
Tebboune also accused the UAE of having a “very negative impact” on the region.
“We want them to stay away, so that blood does not flow in our country,” he added.
The Algerian president had previously stated that his government could have severed diplomatic relations with the UAE much earlier but chose not to do so because it did not want to further deepen divisions within the Arab world.
The latest decision marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries and could have wider diplomatic implications across North Africa and the Middle East.
