Algeria Closes Airspace to French Military, French Army Says, as Row Grows

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune speaks outside a polling station in Bouchaoui, on the western outskirts of Algeria's capital Algiers, on June 12, 2021. Ryad Kramdi/AFP via Getty Images

PARIS/ALGIERS—Algeria has closed its airspace to French military planes, France’s military said on Sunday, escalating the biggest row between the countries in years.

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, south of Algeria.