DUBAI (MNN); Algeria has announced its decision to sever diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), accusing Abu Dhabi of pursuing a series of “provocative or hostile” actions despite repeated warnings from Algiers.
In a statement, Algeria’s Foreign Ministry said the UAE’s conduct had crossed a threshold that made it impossible to continue treating the actions as acceptable. It said Algiers had exhausted all available avenues to preserve bilateral relations.
The ministry said the UAE ambassador was summoned and formally notified of the decision. He was given 48 hours to comply with the measures. The UAE Foreign Ministry had not immediately issued a response.
Relations between Algeria and the UAE have deteriorated significantly in recent years. Algerian media have repeatedly criticised Abu Dhabi, accusing it of attempting to create divisions and destabilise the region.
The two countries have also adopted divergent positions on a number of major regional issues. Algeria opposes diplomatic normalisation with Israel, while the UAE and Algeria’s regional rival Morocco established relations with Israel in 2020 under the US-backed Abraham Accords.
Algiers and Abu Dhabi are further divided over the long-running Western Sahara dispute. The UAE supports Morocco’s claim over the disputed territory and maintains a consulate there, while Algeria supports the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for Western Sahara.
Their competing interests have also increasingly emerged in the Sahel region. The UAE has strengthened relations with several governments in the area, while Algeria’s ties with some of its southern neighbours have become more complicated following a series of military coups.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said last year that Algeria maintained warm relations with all Gulf countries except one, in an apparent reference to the UAE.
He described Algeria’s relations with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar as “brotherly,” while accusing the unnamed state of interfering in Algeria’s domestic affairs and attempting to destabilise the country.
In another sign of deteriorating ties, Algeria began in February the process of terminating an air services agreement with the UAE that had been signed in Abu Dhabi in May 2013.
