Algeria Refuses French Request To Use Its Airspace For Military Operations In Niger

France has about 1,500 troops in Niger that were stationed there before last month’s coup. (File/AFP)  

Reuters: Algeria refuses French request to fly over its airspace for military operation in Niger 

* Algeria opposes any foreign military action in Niger and favors diplomacy 

DUBAI: Algeria has refused a French request to fly over its airspace for a military operation in Niger, state radio said late on Monday, after a July 26 coup in the West African nation that lies south of the Algerian border. 

Algeria opposes any foreign military action in Niger and favors diplomacy to restore constitutional order, state radio said. France has about 1,500 troops in Niger that were stationed there before last month’s coup. 

It is not clear what military operation Algeria was referring to, but France has not said it would intervene militarily to overturn the military takeover.  

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Update #1: Algeria denies passage for French military aircraft to Niger (New Arab)  

Update #2: Algeria Refuses French Military Request To Use Airspace To Intervene In Niger -- I24 News  

WNU Editor: It looks like ECOWAS is backtracking on launching a military offensive on Niger .... African Union issues ambiguous view on possible Niger military intervention (The Guardian). More here .... ‘Nobody Wants to Go to War’ Over Niger Crisis, Ecowas Envoy Says (Bloomberg).

Algeria Bars French Military Planes From Its Airspace

 

France 24: Algeria escalates France diplomatic row with flight ban 

The diplomatic discord between Algeria and France deepened Sunday after Algiers banned French military planes from its airspace, its latest response to a row over visas and critical comments from President Emmanuel Macron. 

France's jets regularly fly over the former French colony to reach the Sahel region of West Africa, where its soldiers are helping to battle jihadist insurgents as part of its Operation Barkhane. 

A spokesperson for the French Armed Forces said Algeria had closed its airspace to two flights, but that it would have "no major consequences" for operations in the Sahel region.  

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More News On Growing Tensions Between France And Algeria  

Algeria blasts French leader, bans flights, recalls diplomat -- AP  

Algeria bars French military planes from its airspace -- DW  

French military aircraft banned from Algerian airspace amid diplomatic row -- CNN  

Algeria bans French military planes from airspace -- Politico