ABU DHABI: Algeria cuts diplomatic ties with the UAE after accusing Abu Dhabi of a series of “provocative or hostile” actions despite repeated warnings, marking a major deterioration in relations between the two Arab countries.
Algeria’s Foreign Ministry announced the decision on Thursday, saying the UAE’s alleged actions had reached a point that could no longer be accepted or tolerated. The ministry said Algiers had exhausted all available efforts to preserve bilateral relations.
As part of the decision, the UAE ambassador was summoned to the Algerian Foreign Ministry and formally informed that he had 48 hours to comply with the diplomatic measures.
The UAE Foreign Ministry had not immediately issued a response to the announcement.
Algeria Cuts Diplomatic Ties With UAE Amid Growing Tensions
Relations between Algeria and the UAE have deteriorated in recent years, with Algerian media outlets increasingly criticising Abu Dhabi and accusing it of interfering in regional affairs.
The two countries have also taken opposing positions on several major geopolitical issues. Algeria strongly opposes normalisation with Israel, while the UAE established diplomatic relations with Israel through the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020. Morocco, Algeria’s regional rival, also joined the agreements.
The long-running Western Sahara dispute has further widened the differences between Algiers and Abu Dhabi. The UAE supports Morocco’s claim over the disputed territory, while Algeria backs the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara.
Algeria and UAE Face Wider Regional Differences
Their competing interests have also increasingly overlapped in the Sahel region. The UAE has expanded its relationships with several governments across the region, while Algeria has faced growing tensions with some southern neighbours following a series of military coups.
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Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune previously indicated that relations with Gulf countries remained warm except with one unnamed state, widely understood to be the UAE. He accused that country of interfering in Algeria’s internal affairs and attempting to destabilise the country.
Earlier this year, Algeria also began the process of cancelling a 2013 air services agreement with the UAE.
The diplomatic rupture represents a significant setback for relations between the two countries and could have wider implications for their competing regional interests.
