The Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria announced the closure of its airspace and airports to military and civilian aircraft from the United Arab Emirates, following the rupture of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The measure, communicated by the Algerian Ministry of Defense, took effect at midnight on Thursday, September 10.
For now, the decision does not apply to commercial flights from the Emirates to or from Algiers international airport, which will be maintained until the end of 2026. These flights are operated by Emirates, headquartered in Dubai. The United Arab Emirates said it hopes the Algerian decision to break diplomatic relations will be "temporary".
Algeria decided to break diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates after several years of tension, during which Baghdad regularly accused Abu Dhabi of interference in its affairs. Algerian public television indicated that Algeria took this decision "after having exhausted all means likely to preserve bilateral relations".
Algerian media have been critical of Abu Dhabi, which in 2020 decided to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, a step subsequently taken by Morocco. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently stated that "wherever they set foot, blood runs", referring to the United Arab Emirates, which he described as a "tiny state" with a "very negative impact" in the region.
