Drone incident sparks airspace standoff between Algeria and Mali

Tensions between Algeria and Mali continue to escalate. Following the recall of the Algerian ambassador from Bamako by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defense has now announced a ban on «any overflight of its territory by aircraft coming from or heading to Mali».

Under the direct supervision of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the ministry justified the decision by citing «repeated violations of Algerian airspace by aircraft originating from Mali». The measure takes effect today, Monday, April 7, 2025.

The Ministry of Defense firmly rejected the accusations made yesterday by Mali’s transitional government, labeling them as «false allegations» and a «desperate attempt to divert attention from the ongoing failed coup, which has plunged Mali into a cycle of insecurity, instability, devastation, and deprivation».

The ministry added that «this is not the first violation of Algerian airspace by a Malian drone. At least two similar incidents were recorded in recent months—one on August 27, 2024, and another on December 29, 2024». Algeria had remained silent about those two previous incidents.

Mali’s response was swift. «As a reciprocal measure, and in light of the Algerian regime’s continued sponsorship of international terrorism, the Malian government informs the national and international public of the immediate closure of its airspace to all civilian and military aircraft arriving from or departing to Algeria». «This decision takes effect on Monday, April 7, 2025, until further notice», declared the Malian Ministry of Transport in a statement.

It remains to be seen how Niger and Burkina Faso, members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), will respond. Will they stand in solidarity with Bamako, as they did yesterday by recalling their ambassadors from Algeria? Any potential support from Niamey and Ouagadougou could further complicate Air Algérie’s flight connections to West Africa.

As a reminder, Algeria has already closed its airspace to Moroccan civilian and military aircraft since September 2021.