The Confederation of Sahel States, comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, has decided to recall its ambassadors from Algeria for consultations. The move follows an incident in the border zone where an Algerian Air Force fighter jet shot down a Malian Bayraktar AKINCI drone, AFP reported, citing official statements from the three countries. The incident occurred in an area where tensions between Algeria and its southern neighbors have been rising in recent months over disagreements over security and control of border areas. The downed drone, manufactured by Turkey, was in airspace that Algeria considers its area of ​​responsibility, prompting the decisive action by its air force.

The recall of the ambassadors underlines the seriousness of the diplomatic crisis that has arisen between Algeria and the Sahel countries. In a joint statement, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger called Algeria’s actions a “hostile act” that violates their sovereignty and called for an international investigation into the circumstances of the incident. The Algerian authorities have not yet officially commented on the situation, but military sources say the drone crossed the border without prior notification, which was considered a threat to national security. The episode marks the first time that Algeria has directly clashed with one of the Sahel Confederation countries, which could further escalate tensions in the region.

In March this year, Mali stepped up its use of Turkish drones to combat rebel groups in the north, raising concerns in Algeria over destabilization on its southern border. According to regional analysts, Algeria has stepped up border patrols in recent months, deploying additional troops and air defense systems to prevent the infiltration of armed groups or equipment. Experts say the Bayraktar AKINCI incident may be related to Mali’s attempt to conduct reconnaissance or an operation near Algerian territory, which prompted the harsh response.

The situation is further complicated by the geopolitical context. Since the severance of relations with France in 2024, the Sahel countries have increasingly focused on cooperation with Turkey and Russia, which has angered Algeria, which traditionally maintains neutrality in regional alliances. In early April, Türkiye delivered several more drones to Mali and sent instructors to train local troops, which has increased tensions in relations with Algeria.