Algeria Severs Diplomatic Ties with United Arab Emirates Over Regional Tensions and Foreign Policies

Algeria has officially severed diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates following years of escalating tensions and mounting frustration over Abu Dhabi's foreign policies. Algiers accused the UAE of engaging in provocative and hostile actions, stating that all efforts to preserve bilateral relations had been exhausted.

In response, UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash stated that diplomatic relations should be anchored in rationality rather than riddles. The rupture stems from fundamental disagreements regarding Israel, Western Sahara, and alleged UAE influence across North Africa and the Sahel region. Furthermore, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has frequently accused the UAE of interfering in both Algerian and broader regional affairs.

State television announced that Algeria's Foreign Ministry formally summoned UAE Ambassador Yousef Saif Khamis Subaa Al-Ali, informing him of the decision to cut ties and giving him a 48-hour deadline to comply. Additionally, Algeria closed its airspace to all UAE-registered aircraft, with exemptions provided only for commercial flights traveling to and from Algiers until the end of the year. This action follows earlier signals of diplomatic friction in February, when Algiers began cancelling a 2013 air services agreement between the two nations.

Offering a measured reaction, UAE officials expressed hope that the decision would be temporary while emphasizing their appreciation for the Algerian people and the resident Algerian community. However, regional divergence remains deep. Algeria firmly opposes normalisation with Israel, contrasting sharply with the UAE's adoption of the Abraham Accords in 2020. The two countries are also divided over Western Sahara, with the UAE backing Morocco while Algeria supports the Polisario Front.

These frictions mirror broader diplomatic challenges the UAE has faced elsewhere in Africa and the Middle East, including recent disputes involving Somalia, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia.