Algeria announced on Thursday that it was severing diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), citing a pattern of what it described as “provocative or hostile” actions by Abu Dhabi. The Algerian Foreign Ministry stated that despite several warnings, the UAE continued these “regrettable and unjustified” acts, leaving Algeria with no choice but to cut diplomatic relations after all efforts to preserve bilateral ties had been exhausted.

The UAE ambassador in Algiers was formally informed of the decision and given 48 hours to comply. There was no immediate official response from the UAE government; however, Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, commented on social media that diplomatic relations should be based on “rationality, communication and clarity of interests,” rather than ambiguous signals or “riddles” requiring interpretation.

Tensions between Algeria and the UAE have risen over recent years amid disagreements on multiple regional issues. Algeria has expressed opposition to the UAE’s normalization of relations with Israel in 2020, a move that Algeria has not supported. Additionally, the two countries are on opposing sides of the protracted Western Sahara dispute. The UAE backs Morocco’s claim to the territory where it maintains a consulate, while Algeria supports the Polisario Front, which advocates for Western Sahara’s independence.

Relations have also been strained by differing approaches to security and influence in the Sahel region. The UAE has increased its ties with several Sahel countries, whereas Algeria’s relationships with some of its southern neighbors have faced difficulties following successive military coups. Algeria has accused the UAE of interfering in its internal affairs and attempting to destabilize the country—a charge reflected in remarks by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who has criticized the UAE as a “micro-state” or “statelet” pursuing destabilization agendas.

Earlier this year, Algeria took further steps reflecting deteriorating ties by terminating an air transport agreement signed with the UAE in 2013. Algerian state entities, including its Higher Security Council, have publicly condemned what they describe as “hostile actions” by a “sisterly Arab state,” widely interpreted as a reference to the UAE.

While Algeria characterizes the UAE’s behavior as hostile and unjustified, UAE officials have urged dialogue based on transparency and clear interests. The diplomatic rupture underscores deep-seated divisions between the two Arab countries rooted in differing geopolitical alignments and regional policies.