Mali’s transitional government has formally accused the Algerian military of shooting down a Malian surveillance drone near the shared border between the two countries. The incident occurred in the border area of Tinzouatine, located in Algeria’s sixth military region.
In an official statement issued Sunday evening, the Malian government described the drone as being on a reconnaissance mission when it was intercepted and downed by the Algerian armed forces. The statement went on to denounce the action as an “infringement of national sovereignty.”
Mali’s foreign ministry said in a separate statement that authorities had concluded with “absolute certainty” that the drone was shot down in “hostile premeditated action by the Algerian regime”.
Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso said that they have withdrawn their ambassadors from Algiers in a joint statement.
The three countries expressed strong disapproval of the operation, calling it a “violation of sovereignty” and an escalation of Algeria’s ongoing opposition to Mali’s military efforts against armed groups in the region.
The joint statement emphasized that Mali viewed the attack as a “deliberate and unfriendly act,” further accusing Algeria of supporting international terrorism by hindering Mali’s counterterrorism operations.
In addition to recalling their ambassadors, Mali announced plans to withdraw from the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CEMOC), a military body comprising Algeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Mali is also considering taking legal action against Algeria before international bodies for the hostile actions against its forces.
Earlier, the Algerian Ministry of Defense confirmed the incident, stating that the drone had violated Algerian airspace and was downed using monitoring systems, a response the ministry described as “immediate and targeted.”
However, Algeria did not specify the drone’s origin, adding that it was downed before it could complete its mission.
Algeria did not immediately comment on the reported withdrawal of the ambassadors.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.