FLASH NEWS: Mali, Niger & Burkina Faso to recall their ambassadors from Algeria over downed drone

In a statement read out on national TV Sunday evening, Mali’s security minister accused Algeria of shooting down one of its surveillance drones near their shared border. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) went on to issue a joint statement in which all three countries, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger said they will recall their ambassadors from Algeria for discussions on the incident. This decision was taken after the destruction of a Mali army drone by Algeria between March 31 and April 1. The AES statement went on to describe the incident as "a hostile act by the Algerian regime.” According to Algiers, the drone had entered Algerian territory, a claim Bamako disputes.