Algeria reopens airspace to Malian flights, state media says
- Algeria and Mali reopened their airspace to each other's flights after over a year of tension caused by Algeria shooting down a Malian drone in April 2025.
- Both countries announced the return of their ambassadors and the resumption of diplomatic relations, signaling improved ties.
- Algeria's defense ministry stated the reopening allows all flights to and from Mali through various international routes, effective Friday.
- The dispute began when Algeria shot down a Malian drone near their border, leading Mali to file a complaint with the ICJ.
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The two countries announced the reciprocal reopening of their airspace and the return of their ambassadors. Tension had risen between the two neighbours since the junta came to power in Bamako following two coups d'état in 2020 and 2021.
Algeria says its envoy will return to Mali after year-long rift
ALGIERS: Algeria said Friday its envoy would return to Mali in an apparent sign of thawing relations following over a year-long diplomatic rift triggered by Algiers shooting down a Malian drone. Algeria shot down the drone in April 2025, saying it had crossed into its airspace — an allegation Mali denied — sparking tit-for-tat recalls of ambassadors and the closure of
The Malian government had earlier announced the return of its ambassador to Algiers, and both countries had reported the reciprocal reopening of their airspace.
Relations between Mali and Algeria are improving while the two neighbouring countries have hardly spoken directly since the spring of 2025. In addition to the reopening of their airspace, the two countries announced on Friday 10 July the mutual return of their ambassadors to their posts.
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