Algeria has cut diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates, citing a series of 'provocative and hostile' actions by Abu Dhabi, according to state media. The decision follows repeated warnings from Algeria's foreign ministry, which said it had 'exhausted all means of preserving bilateral relations.' The UAE ambassador was summoned to the ministry and given 48 hours to comply with the decision, though no immediate response from Abu Dhabi was reported.

The move marks a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries, which have been strained for years over regional disputes. Algeria opposes normalization with Israel, while the UAE and Morocco, Algeria's regional rival, established ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords in 2020. The two nations also differ on the Western Sahara dispute, with the UAE supporting Morocco's claim and Algeria backing the Polisario Front, which seeks independence for the territory.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has repeatedly criticized the UAE, referring to it as a 'micro-state' seeking to destabilize countries in the region. In a July televised interview, he said, 'Wherever they set foot, blood flows,' and that the UAE has had a 'very negative impact' on Algeria. He added that a diplomatic break 'would have happened long ago' had Algeria not sought to avoid 'deepening divisions' in the Arab world.

The UAE's diplomatic adviser, Anwar Gargash, responded on X, stating that diplomatic relations should be based on 'rationality, communication and clarity of interests,' rather than 'riddles and signals that require decoding.' However, no official statement from the UAE government has been released. Algeria's state media has previously criticized the UAE for what it describes as a hostile media campaign, including an incident where a UAE-based broadcaster aired an interview with a historian who made controversial remarks about Algeria's Amazigh culture. The historian was jailed but later pardoned by Tebboune.

The two countries' interests have also diverged in the Sahel region, where the UAE has expanded ties with several governments, while Algeria's relations with some southern neighbors have become strained following military coups. Algeria has accused the UAE of meddling in its internal affairs, a claim that has been echoed in past statements by Tebboune. However, the UAE has not publicly addressed these allegations.

What remains unclear is the full extent of the UAE's actions that prompted Algeria's decision, as the foreign ministry did not provide specific details. The lack of a formal response from the UAE raises questions about the potential for a diplomatic resolution. Analysts suggest that the move could further complicate regional dynamics, particularly in the context of the Western Sahara dispute and the broader Arab-Israeli conflict. The situation underscores the deepening divisions between Algeria and its Gulf neighbors, with implications for regional stability and diplomacy.