Sahel : Algeria conducts live-fire military exercise near Mali

Tensions remain high between Algeria and Mali. Choguel Kokalla Maïga, Prime Minister of the transitional government in Mali, reiterated his condemnation of alleged Algerian interference in Malian affairs on Monday.

Algeria quickly responded to these accusations by conducting a live-ammunition military exercise near the Malian border on Tuesday. The maneuvers, overseen by Algerian army Chief of Staff Said Chengriha, were aimed at «destroying a non-conventional enemy» according to the Ministry of Defense under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

The exercise showcased an air landing operation involving special forces helicopters under combat helicopter cover, as well as a parachute drop into simulated enemy territory, the Ministry added.

This recent display of force bears resemblance to Algerian military exercises prior to the severance of relations with Morocco in August 2021. The slogan used during April 2021 aerial maneuvers in Hassi Bahbah, «a preventive strike in the depths of enemy territory», further reinforces this comparison.

Further contributing to the strained relations, Mali joined the initiative proposed by King Mohammed VI of Morocco on December 24, granting Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean. This move was followed by the Malian transitional government's withdrawal from the Algiers process peace agreement on January 25.