Algeria - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Algeria cover image - flag

Algeria

June 4, 2025

Algiers 3:00 pm

25°C

A picture taken on July 23, 2021 shows an Algerian flag fluttering on the facade of the embassy in Paris. - Algeria expressed "deep concern" following press reports that it may have been the target of the Israeli-made Pegasus spyware as it launched a probe. (Photo by Joël SAGET / AFP) (Photo by JOEL SAGET/AFP via Getty Images)

France expels 12 Algerian diplomats in tit-for-tat escalation

Paris decided to retaliate symmetrically after the expulsion on Monday of 12 of its diplomats from Algeria.

Attendees fly a French national flag and an Algerian national flag during a gathering for the election night following the second round results of France's legislative election at Republique Square in Paris on July 7, 2024. A broad left-wing coalition was leading a tight French legislative election, ahead of both President's centrists and the far right with no group winning an absolute majority, projections showed. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images)

Algeria-France crisis peaks as Algiers expels 12 diplomats: What we know

A rift between Algeria and France has heated up on Monday as Algiers ordered a dozen French diplomats out of the country.

Italian energy giant Eni's general director, Claudio Descalzi.

Italy's Eni to invest $26B in Egypt, Libya, Algeria energy projects

Eni is already a leading foreign energy company in the region, with footholds in Algeria, Egypt and Libya.

Morocco's king, Mohammed VI, speaks with France's president, Emmanuel Macron, as France's minister of the interior, Bruno Retailleau, and his counterpart from Morocco sign documents during their meeting in the Royal Palace in the capital, Rabat, on Oct. 28, 2024.

Analysis

How France’s growing Morocco ties fueled diplomatic crisis with Algeria

Algeria continues to distance itself from French influence while seeking to isolate Morocco, forging new alliances with Egypt, Libya, Sudan and other nations not closely aligned with Morocco.

Sabena Siddiqui

By Sabena Siddiqui

In Karachi, reporting on South Asia, Middle East, Iran

Latest News

Analysis

Algeria becomes first foreign buyer of Russia's Su-57 fighter jet: What to know

A Russian Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation fighter aircraft is exhibited during the Army-2022 International Military-Technical Forum at the Russian Armed Forces' Patriot Park in Kubinka, outside Moscow, Russia, Aug. 16, 2022.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Analysis

What lessons can France draw from Algeria-Spain trade reset?

This picture taken on Aug. 25, 2022 shows the France flag and Algeria flag ahead of the arrival of French President in Algiers for an official visit.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Iran sends senior delegation to Algeria, Tunisia as relations warm

Algerian People's National Council

Five global firms shortlisted in Morocco's controversial Western Sahara energy plans

An aerial view of the solar mirrors at the Noor 1 Concentrated Solar Power plant, some 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) outside the town of Ouarzazate, central Morocco, Feb. 4, 2016.

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron embark on an aircraft at the airport of Sale, north of Rabat, on Oct. 30, 2024.

Analysis

Relations between France, Algeria grow cooler over Morocco ties

The latest trip of French President Emmanuel Macron to Rabat was the last straw in the already shaky relations between Paris and Algiers.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

France's President Emmanuel Macron and Morocco's King Mohammed VI

Analysis

In Morocco, France's Macron dangles Western Sahara concessions to mend ties

After years of diplomatic disputes, French President Emmanuel Macron is adamant on repairing ties with Morocco.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Algeria lines up energy deals with US, Saudi firms as clock ticks on gas export ambitions

Algeria has launched a rare licensing round for oil and gas projects as it chases new interest in its upstream sector.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Palestinian security forces close off the entrance of a building housing the offices of Saudi broadcasters MBC, Al-Arabiya, and Al-Hadath in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on October 21, 2024, during a protest calling for their closure against the backdrop of their descriptions of Hamas leadership which the protesters reject. (Photo by Jaafar ASHTIYEH / AFP) (Photo by JAAFAR ASHTIYEH/AFP via Getty Images)

What's behind Algeria's suspension of Saudi-owned Al Arabiya?

Algeria suspended the press license of Saudi state-owned Al Arabiya news channel just one day after Iraq suspended the license of Saudi-owned TV channel MBC.

A picture taken on February 8, 2015, shows the headquarters of Algeria's state-owned energy giant Sonatrach in the capital Algiers.

Algeria's Sonatrach, European partners sign two green hydrogen agreements

Algeria’s Sonatrach has signed two agreements as the country makes a green hydrogen push both for domestic use and for export to Europe.

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN/AFP via Getty Images

Why Algeria restricted wheat imports from France

French-Algerian relations have grown tense in recent months over France’s colonial legacy and disputes over the status of Western Sahara.

Algeria's president, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, arrives to attend a working session at the Borgo Egnazia resort during the G7 Summit in Savelletri near Bari, Italy, on June 14, 2024.

Analysis

Tebboune's reelection bid is Algeria's bet on stability over reform

A second Tebboune term will keep him as the manager of government activity, not in a position of real power in Algeria.

Francisco Serrano

By Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang (C) delivers his speech.

At Africa summit, China elevates ties with Libya, invests $14M in Egypt

The Sino-Libyan pact was announced Wednesday by Chinese President Xi Jinping and President of the Libyan Presidency Council Mohamed al-Menfi at the FOCAC summit in Beijing.

Marwan Tahtah/Getty images

Analysis

What’s behind Algeria’s decision to send fuel to Lebanon?

Algeria has a history of sending fuel to Lebanon, and the Lebanese government is receiving additional help from Iraq.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Imane Khelif

Middle East athletes rack up 44 medals at Paris Olympics

Ten Middle Eastern countries won medals at this year's Paris games.

Women queue to fill containers with water from a private irrigation well provided by a farmer in Sbikha town, which has been having drinking water problems for years, near Tunisia's central city of Kairouan on June 25, 2024. Like its neighbour Algeria and large areas of the Mediterranean region, Tunisia suffers from "alert drought conditions", according to the European Drought Observatory. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP) (Photo by FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images)

Algeria’s desalination ambitions to come with heavy financial burden

Francisco Serrano

Francisco Serrano

In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business

Migrants from Tunisia and Lybia arrive onboard of an Italian Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard) boat in the Italian Pelagie Island of Lampedusa on Aug. 1, 2020.

Analysis

As Europe's far right surges, North Africa immigration takes center stage

The election of far-right politicians in power across Europe will impact EU policy toward North Africa, which has proven to be an invaluable energy partner since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech