By Henryrich Ojo | Newsworld

Algeria has announced the severance of diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing Abu Dhabi of engaging in a series of “provocative or hostile” actions despite repeated warnings.

The Algerian Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Thursday, saying the deterioration in relations had reached a point where Algiers could no longer continue efforts to maintain diplomatic ties.

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According to the ministry, the UAE ambassador was summoned, formally informed of the decision and given 48 hours to comply with the directive.

Algeria also announced restrictions on UAE-registered aircraft, with civilian and military aircraft registered in the UAE barred from using Algerian airspace from Friday.

However, commercial flights between the UAE and Algiers will reportedly continue until the end of 2026, when the existing aviation agreement expires.

UAE Hopes Rift Will Not Be Permanent

The UAE Foreign Ministry responded by expressing hope that the diplomatic rupture would not become permanent.

In a statement, the ministry said the UAE continued to value its relationship with the Algerian people and the longstanding links between citizens of both countries.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) affirms the UAE’s appreciation for the brotherly Algerian people and its pride in the bonds that unite the two peoples, particularly through the Algerian community residing in the UAE and Algerian visitors,” the statement said.

UAE diplomatic adviser Anwar Gargash also commented on the situation in a post on X, although he did not specifically mention Algeria.

Gargash said diplomatic relations should be based on dialogue and clearly defined interests rather than indirect messaging.

“Rationality, communication and clarity of interests,” he wrote, should guide diplomatic relations rather than “riddles and signals that require decoding.”

Israel and Western Sahara Disputes

Relations between Algeria and the UAE have deteriorated over the past several years as the two countries have adopted different positions on several major regional issues.

One major point of disagreement is Israel.

Algeria remains opposed to normalising 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 normalised relations with Israel under the same framework.

The disputed territory of Western Sahara represents another major source of tension.

The UAE supports Morocco’s position on Western Sahara and has a consulate in the territory, while Algeria supports the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara.

The disagreement has contributed to broader regional tensions between Algeria and Morocco, with the UAE’s position increasingly viewed by Algiers as contrary to its own strategic interests.

Different Positions Over Sahel

Algeria and the UAE have also adopted different approaches to political developments across the Sahel.

The UAE has expanded its relations with several governments in the region, while Algeria has faced increasingly complicated relations with some of its southern neighbours following a series of military coups.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has previously criticised the UAE and accused it of attempting to destabilise countries in the region.

In a televised interview in July, Tebboune described the UAE as a “micro-state” or “statelet” and alleged that its activities had contributed to instability.

“Wherever they set foot, blood flows,” Tebboune said.

He 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.

Tebboune had previously indicated that Algeria could have severed diplomatic relations with the UAE earlier but chose not to do so, partly out of concern that such a move could further deepen divisions within the Arab world.

The latest decision marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries and could have wider implications for their political, economic and strategic relationships across North Africa and the Middle East.