Algeria’s Foreign Ministry has announced that it has severed all official and diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates.
Algerian authorities said the decision was prompted by hostile actions by the UAE. They have given the UAE ambassador 48 hours to leave the country and closed Algerian airspace to all UAE military and civilian flights.
The UAE Foreign Ministry expressed regret over Algeria’s decision, but said it hoped the move would be temporary and would not affect the fraternal ties between the two countries and their peoples.
Anwar Gargash, political adviser to the UAE president, said diplomatic relations should be based on reason, clear vision and mutual interests, rather than being used to divert public attention from domestic problems.
Relations between Algeria and the UAE have long been strained by a number of regional and political disputes.
One of the main points of disagreement is the normalization of relations with Israel. The UAE supports the Abraham Accords, while Algeria opposes the process.
The UAE also supports Morocco’s position on Western Sahara and has opened a consulate there, while Algeria supports the Polisario Front.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has previously accused the UAE of pursuing negative and bloody interventions in the region.