ALGIERS, Sept. 11 (Xinhua) -- Algeria will close its airspace at midnight Friday to all civilian and military aircraft registered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Defense Ministry said Thursday.
The measure leaves the UAE's commercial passenger flights to and from Algiers' Houari Boumediene International Airport untouched. They will continue until the end of 2026, when the existing contract expires, the ministry said.
Algeria on Thursday announced its decision to sever diplomatic relations with the UAE after "exhausting all avenues" to preserve their ties.
It accused the UAE of repeated "provocative or hostile actions" despite warnings. The UAE ambassador was formally notified of the decision at the foreign ministry and given 48 hours to comply. ■
