Algerian government on Wednesday announced the immediate closure of the country’s airspace to all Moroccan civilian and military aircraft, in the latest dispute between the two neighboring countries at odds mainly over Western Sahara, reported Africa News.
“The High-Security Council has decided to shut its airspace immediately to all civilian and military aircraft as well as to those registered in Morocco,” said a statement released by the Algerian presidency.
Algeria broke off diplomatic ties with Morocco on August 24, accusing it of hostile actions after months of heightened tensions between the two countries.
According to the statement, the decision to close the airspace was taken during a meeting of the High-Security Council (HCS), chaired by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The Algerian presidency said the meeting examined the situation on Algeria’s border with Morocco and took into account the continuation of provocations and hostile practices by Morocco. The closure is expected to affect about 15 flights weekly that link Morocco with Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey.
Algeria’s air borders have been shut since March 17, 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The airspace was partially reopened on June 1 to seven countries, of which Morocco was not part.
Algeria and Morocco have had sore relations for decades, mainly over the Western Sahara issue. Morocco claims the disputed former Spanish territory is an integral part of its kingdom, while Algeria backs the Polisario independence movement, which has fought Morocco for the independence of Western Sahara for decades.
Last month, the Algerian government blamed two terrorist groups, including the MAK group, which seeks independence for the Kabylie region and is backed by Morocco, for lethal wildfires in the country that burned tens of thousands of hectares of forest land and led to the death of at least 90 people, including more than 30 soldiers.
