Tensions Rise as Mali Accuses Algeria in Drone Dispute
Mali has accused Algeria of deliberately shooting down a Malian military drone near their shared border, escalating into a diplomatic crisis. Mali appealed to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to address this alleged act of aggression. However, the ICJ stated that proceedings can only commence with Algeria's consent.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced on Friday that Mali's case against Algeria regarding the shooting down of a Malian military drone can only proceed if Algeria consents to the court's jurisdiction. This incident has escalated into a diplomatic crisis between the two neighboring countries.
Mali's application to the ICJ, the highest judicial body of the United Nations, claims that Algeria's actions constituted an act of aggression in violation of international law. However, the ICJ clarified that since Algeria has not accepted automatic jurisdiction over disputes with other U.N. members, Mali's claim has been forwarded to the Algerian government.
The controversy centers around the downing of the drone near Tinzaouaten in Mali's Kidal region, which Mali alleges was an attempt to thwart its military operations against armed groups. Algeria, on the other hand, stated that its forces shot down an armed surveillance drone that intruded into its airspace in the border region.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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