Algeria Severs Diplomatic Ties with UAE Over Hostile Actions

Algeria announced on Thursday that it is severing diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, describing the move as a result of the Gulf nation’s “provocative and hostile actions.” According to state media, Algiers determined that all avenues to preserve bilateral ties had been exhausted.

The Algerian government has instructed the UAE ambassador to comply with the decision within 48 hours. There was no immediate comment from the UAE Foreign Ministry regarding the announcement.

The rupture marks the culmination of long-standing friction between the two North African and Middle Eastern powers. Algerian media outlets have previously accused the UAE of attempting to incite regional discord. In July, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stated in a televised interview that the UAE had a “very negative impact” on the region, remarking that “wherever they set foot, blood flows.” He added that Algeria wishes to keep the UAE away to prevent violence from spilling into its own borders.

Tensions significantly escalated in February when Algeria initiated proceedings to cancel an air services agreement originally signed in Abu Dhabi in May 2013.

President Tebboune has frequently characterized the UAE as a “micro-state” or “statelet” engaged in destabilizing activities across the region. Last year, he drew a sharp distinction between Algeria’s relationships with its Gulf neighbors, labeling ties with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar as “brotherly,” while implicitly criticizing the UAE for meddling in Algeria’s internal affairs.

At the time of his July comments, Tebboune noted that a complete diplomatic break had been avoided only because Algeria sought to prevent deeper divisions within the Arab world.