France, April 7 -- Tensions between Algeria and its southern neighbours have flared once again after the downing of a Turkish-made military drone near the Mali border, underscoring the ongoing instability in the Sahel.

In a sharp diplomatic move,the military-led juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have recalled their ambassadors from Algeria following the downing of a Malian drone last week.

The Alliance of Sahel States (AES)- as the group is officially known by its French acronym - laid the blame squarely on Algeria via social media on Sunday, denouncing the drone's downing as an "irresponsible act" that flouted international law.

"This act flies in the face of the historic and fraternal bonds shared between the peoples of the AES ...