Gaza Herald – Algerian state television announced on Thursday that Algeria has officially severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates. The broadcaster stated that this decision was taken after exhausting all means capable of preserving bilateral relations, without providing further specific details regarding the immediate triggers for the move.
This announcement marks the culmination of a prolonged period of tension between Algiers and Abu Dhabi, which has escalated significantly in recent years. Previously, the two nations maintained robust economic cooperation and investment links, but these have now been replaced by open diplomatic hostility following months of rising political friction.
In February of last year, Algeria initiated procedures to annul an air transport agreement with the UAE. This pact had been signed in Abu Dhabi in 2013 and subsequently ratified by a presidential decree in December 2014. At that time, Algerian authorities did not provide a detailed official reason for the cancellation, though it followed a period of intensified criticism from Algiers toward Abu Dhabi.
During this buildup, various Algerian media outlets accused Abu Dhabi of attempting to destabilize regional security and interfering in Algeria’s internal affairs. These accusations contributed to a hostile environment that eventually led to the complete breakdown of diplomatic channels between the two neighboring states.
The situation reached a critical point when Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made remarks in October 2025 regarding relations with Gulf countries. He described ties as fraternal with all neighbors except one, a statement widely interpreted as referring to the UAE. He accused this unnamed country of meddling in Algeria’s domestic matters and seeking to undermine the nation’s stability.
Despite the severity of the announcement by state television, no official response had been issued by Emirati authorities at the time of publication. The lack of immediate comment from Abu Dhabi leaves the diplomatic rupture in its initial phase, with both sides yet to clarify future engagement protocols or the status of remaining commercial interests.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
