Algeria announced on Thursday it has cut diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, accusing Abu Dhabi of a series of “provocative and hostile” actions and stating that all attempts to preserve bilateral relations have been exhausted. The rupture comes amid long-standing tensions over issues including Israel, Western Sahara, and alleged UAE interference in North Africa and the Sahel region. Algeria also announced it would close its airspace to all UAE-registered aircraft starting Friday, with exceptions for commercial flights to and from Algiers until year-end. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash responded on social media, stating that diplomatic relations should be based on “rationality” rather than “riddles”.