Home · World · Sep 10 archive
Algeria says cutting diplomatic ties with UAE
Confirmed
In Short: Algeria has announced the cutting of diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates, following what it described as a series of 'provocative or hostile' actions by Abu Dhabi, despite repeated warnings.
Algeria has announced the cutting of diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates, following what it described as a series of 'provocative or hostile' actions by Abu Dhabi, despite repeated warnings. The decision comes after years of tension, with Algeria accusing the UAE of interfering in national and regional affairs.
Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune stated that the UAE's actions had reached a point where they could no longer be considered acceptable, and that Algeria had 'exhausted all means of preserving bilateral relations.' Tebboune also noted that the diplomatic break 'would have happened long ago' had Algeria not sought to avoid 'deepening divisions' in the Arab world.
The decision to cut ties is rooted in ongoing tensions, particularly over the UAE's support for Morocco's claim to sovereignty over Western Sahara, an issue Algeria backs the Polisario Front on. Additionally, the two countries' interests have increasingly clashed in the Sahel region, where the UAE has expanded its ties with several governments.
Tensions escalated in February when Algeria began the process of canceling the air services agreement with the UAE, signed in Abu Dhabi in 2013. In a recent interview, Tebboune warned that wherever the UAE sets foot, 'blood flows,' and called on them to distance themselves from Algeria to avoid further conflict.
What's confirmed
- At the time, Tebboune said a diplomatic break “would have happened long ago” had Algeria not sought to avoid “deepening divisions” in the Arab world.
- Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune has often referred to the UAE in speeches as a “micro-state” or “statelet” seeking to destabilise several countries in the region.
- Algeria has decided to break diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, citing the exhaustion of all means of maintaining bilateral ties, Algerian state media reported on Thursday.
What's still developing
- Algeria opposes normalisation with Israel, while the UAE and Algeria’s regional rival Morocco established diplomatic ties with Israel under the United States-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020.
- The president said the diplomatic rupture would have been decided earlier if Algeria had not tried to avoid deepening divisions among Arab states.
- Last year, Algerian state television denounced what it called a hostile media campaign after UAE-based broadcaster Sky News Arabia aired an interview with historian Mohamed Amine Belghit, who made controversial remarks questioning the existence of Algeria's indigenous Amazigh culture.
- Algeria accused the UAE of "provocative and hostile acts," without providing details in a statement released by the foreign ministry.
- There was no immediate reaction from UAE authorities.