Algeria downs armed drone near southern border

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Algeria said Tuesday that its forces shot down an armed drone that breached the country’s southern border, penetrating its airspace, but said nothing about who sent the drone.

The incident took place near the border town of Tin Zaouatine, located in the Sixth Military Region, the Defense Ministry said in a statement. Tin Zaouatine lies along the border with Mali.

According to the ministry, air defense downed the unmanned reconnaissance drone around midnight on April 1 after it crossed the border.

The statement said the aircraft was 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) into Algerian airspace before being detected and neutralized.

No details were provided on the armed drone’s origin or ownership, potential mission, or intended target.

The incident took place against a backdrop of escalating regional tensions, particularly following the January 2024 announcement by Mali’s junta that it was withdrawing from the 2015 Algiers Peace Agreement with the Azawad (Tuareg) movements in northern Mali.

Since then, Malian forces, backed by Russia’s Wagner Group militia, have repeatedly attacked rebel strongholds in the north, triggering waves of displacement toward Algeria’s border.

The intensifying conflict has strained relations between Algeria and Mali. Algeria, a key sponsor of the peace deal, has consistently opposed a military solution, urging Mali’s authorities to resume dialogue with Azawad forces for a peaceful resolution.