Algeria and UAE Officially Sever Ties: The Reasons Revealed
Algeria abruptly decided to sever diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday, after accusing Abu Dhabi of a series of actions deemed “provocative or hostile.”
Algeria did not specify exactly which actions triggered the decision.
The Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the step was taken after all efforts to maintain bilateral relations were deemed no longer productive.
“The actions of the UAE have reached a point that can no longer be accepted or tolerated,” stated the official statement from the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as quoted by Reuters news agency on Saturday (12/9/20226).
Tensions between Algeria and the UAE have actually been escalating in recent years. Algerian media have repeatedly criticised Abu Dhabi, accusing it of attempting to incite division in the region. On a previous occasion, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune also mentioned that Algeria’s relations with Gulf countries generally remain good—except with one country, an implicit reference to the UAE.
UAE Response
Meanwhile, the UAE expressed hope that the decision to sever ties is only temporary. The UAE emphasised its commitment to maintaining people-to-people relations between the two nations and their shared interests.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasises the UAE’s appreciation for the brotherly Algerian people, as well as its pride in the bonds that unite both nations,” stated the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President, responded via the social media platform X, emphasising the importance of open communication in diplomacy. According to him, relations between nations should be built on the basis of rationality, communication, and clarity of interests—not on puzzles and signals that require interpretation.
Airspace Closure
This dispute has also spilled over into the aviation sector. Algeria will close its airspace to all civil and military aircraft registered in the UAE, effective from Friday (11/9). However, UAE commercial flights currently operating to and from the capital, Algiers, are exempted and permitted to continue until the end of 2026, when the current contract period expires.
Roots of the Dispute
The dispute between the two nations is inseparable from differing positions on several regional issues:
The Israel Issue: Algeria opposes the normalisation of relations with Israel, whereas the UAE established diplomatic relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords in 2020.
The Western Sahara Issue: The UAE supports Morocco’s claim of sovereignty over the territory of Western Sahara, while Algeria supports the independence of the region through the Polisario Front.
Influence in the Sahel: The UAE has expanded its relations with several governments in the Sahel region, while Algeria’s relations with its neighbouring countries to the south have worsened following a series of military coups.
Previously, in February 2026, Algeria had also begun the process of cancelling aviation service agreements with the UAE that were originally signed in May 2013.