Algeria Recalls Ambassador from Morocco, Escalating Diplomatic Tensions

"By presidential decree of 19 Safar 1443 corresponding to September 26, 2021, the functions of extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, in Rabat (Kingdom of Morocco), exercised by Mr. Abdelhamid Abdaoui, are terminated as of August 25, 2021," can be read in the decision published in the official bulletin of Monday, October 11.

Last July, Algiers had recalled Abdelhamid Abdaoui for consultation. On August 24, Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco because of "hostile acts" towards it. Algiers notably accuses Rabat of supporting Omar Hilale, the kingdom’s permanent representative to the United Nations, to the "valiant Kabyle people", the statements of the Israeli Foreign Minister during his historic visit to Rabat, past incidents, such as the desecration of the Algerian flag at the Casablanca consulate in 2013.

September 22: new escalation. Algeria has closed its airspace to Moroccan civilian and military aircraft and those with a Moroccan registration number. Since then, tensions have been rising. On Sunday, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune threatened to go to extremes if Moroccan aggression towards his country continued.

"It is certainly not easy to go towards a direct confrontation, but Algeria will go towards this eventuality in case of extreme necessity. [...] Whoever looks for us, finds us," he threatened in an interview with the national media.