Algeria has escalated its confrontation with the United Arab Emirates by closing its airspace to all UAE-registered civilian and military aircraft, following its decision to sever diplomatic relations with Abu Dhabi.

The ban is set to take effect on Friday, while scheduled UAE commercial flights to and from Algiers will remain exempt until the end of 2026 under the existing air-services agreement.

Algeria has also summoned the UAE ambassador and given him 48 hours to leave the country. Algiers accused Abu Dhabi of a series of “provocative and hostile” actions, saying it had exhausted all means of preserving bilateral relations.

The UAE expressed regret over the decision and said it hoped the diplomatic rupture would be temporary, stressing the importance of preserving ties between the two countries.

The escalation marks a major deterioration in relations between two Arab states, with tensions also linked to their opposing positions on regional conflicts and political developments across North Africa and the Sahel.