Libya, Morocco and Israel: Forces powering the Algeria-UAE rupture
Algeria’s recent decision to cancel a 2013 air agreement with the UAE signals an escalation in its rift with the Gulf state and reflects long-standing disputes over Libya and the Western Sahara.
Algeria’s decision to cancel its air services agreement with the United Arab Emirates represents the most significant action by Algeria yet in a rapidly deteriorating relationship, as tensions over alleged interference and wider regional politics become increasingly prominent.
On Feb. 7, Algeria's state news agency, Algeria Press Service, reported that the country is cancelling its 2013 air services agreement with the UAE and will notify Abu Dhabi of the cancellation "through diplomatic channels." The Emirati General Civil Aviation Authority responded the next day, saying the move has no "immediate impact" on flights between the countries, which will "continue as normal" during the agreement's legally mandated notice period.
Karim Mezran, director of the Atlantic Council’s North Africa Initiative, said cancelling the air agreement was "the least damaging thing that Algeria could do while at the same time sending a big signal."
Algeria "has always had a very restrained foreign policy," but "they are changing," he said.
