The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed “deep concern” over escalating tensions between

Mali and Algeria, urging both parties to de-escalate and return to dialogue to resolve the dispute.

On Sunday, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso summoned their ambassadors from Algeria, accusing it of downing a drone belonging to the Bamako army near the border.

In response, Algeria announced on Monday the closure of its airspace to Mali, citing repeated violations of its airspace.

Algeria firmly denied the Malian accusations, deeming them an attempt to distract from security failures in Mali.