Algeria closes airspace to Mali over drone row

ALGIERS: Algeria on Monday recalled its ambas-sadors to Mali and Niger in a retaliatory move after the two countries along with Burkina Faso called three Maghrebian nations home over the alleged shoot-down of a Malian army drone.

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The three military-run African allies jointly announced the ambassadors’ recall on Sunday. Mali had accused Algeria of downing one of its drones over its territory last week.

Northern Mali borders Algeria and is the scene of a separatist rebellion and a mounting presence of extremist groups.

Algeria said on Monday that it regretted “having to apply reciprocity” following the move by the three countries.

As part of the measure, the newly-assigned Algerian ambassador to Burkina Faso would delay taking up his duties, Algeria’s foreign ministry said in a statement.