Algerian public television launched a scathing attack on the United Arab Emirates on Friday, May 2, accusing the Gulf nation of a «dangerous media escalation». The broadcaster described the UAE as an «artificial state» that had «crossed all red lines» and sought to «undermine the unity and identity of the Algerian people». «This escalation is a serious attack on the deeply rooted values of the Algerian people and an attempt to cast doubt on their origins and rich history», the statement continued. «It is not only a media insult but also an act of aggression targeting our values, sovereignty, and shared national destiny». The televised statement went on to condemn what it called «the artificial state of the United Arab Emirates—a factory of sedition and a source of ideological toxins». It stressed that «Algeria, which sacrificed millions of martyrs for its unity, will not yield to provocation and will not forgive any attack on its principles, identity, or sense of belonging». This latest escalation follows the April 28 broadcast of an interview on Emirati channel Sky News Arabia. The interview, conducted by an Algerian journalist based in Algiers, featured historian Mohamed Amine El Balghite. During the broadcast, El Balghite launched a tirade against France and the claims of Amazigh movements in Algeria. He also expressed strong support for the current government, calling the Bouteflika years the era of the «gang». Tensions between Algiers and Abu Dhabi have been simmering for months. In April 2024, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued a stern warning to the UAE: «If you think you can treat us like others, you are mistaken. We have 5.63 million martyrs who died for this country. Anyone who wants to engage with us must do so respectfully», he said. He also accused the UAE of interfering in regional conflicts: «Wherever there is turmoil—be it Mali, Libya, or Sudan—you'll find this country's money involved».
