France pledges retaliation after Algeria moves to expel more diplomats

France has vowed to retaliate after Algeria reportedly informed its embassy in Algiers of plans to expel additional French diplomats. The move, disclosed during a summons of France’s chargé d’affaires on Sunday, prompted an immediate and forceful response from French authorities, according to AFP.

“This is an incomprehensible and brutal decision,” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Monday. “We will respond immediately, firmly, and in a way that matches the harm done to our national interests.”

Algerian authorities argue that the 15 French diplomatic staff members stationed temporarily at the embassy lacked the proper documentation and failed to comply with entry procedures, Radio France Internationale reported.

France, however, rejects this claim. It maintains that the diplomats—who hold diplomatic passports—were on short-term assignments of less than 90 days and, therefore, exempt from additional bureaucratic requirements.

This diplomatic clash follows a similar incident last month when Algeria expelled 12 French officials. That action came in response to the arrest of an Algerian official in France, who was wanted in connection with the 2024 abduction of Amir Boukhours, a France-based Algerian dissident and influencer.

France responded by expelling 12 Algerian diplomats and recalling its ambassador from Algiers.

Tensions between the two countries have grown in recent years, despite efforts by French President Emmanuel Macron to repair the strained relationship with Algeria, a former French colony. Key points of friction include France’s stance on Morocco’s claim to Western Sahara, a position Algeria firmly opposes.