France, April 8 -- Algeria has closed its airspace to flights to and from Mali and recalled its ambassadors from Mali and Niger, in response to what it calls "serious and unfounded allegations" that it shot down a Malian drone.

The diplomatic row erupted after Malian authorities accused Algeria of downing oneone of its reconnaissance drones inside Malian territory, a claim that has sharply escalated tensions between Algeria and its southern neighbours in the Sahel.

The incident has further strained Algeria's already fraught relations with Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

In addition to recalling its envoys for consultations, Algeria has postponed the deployment of its new ambassador to Burkina Faso. Algiers has expressed deep anger over ...