Malian authorities announced on Monday the immediate closure of the country's airspace to all civilian and military aircraft traveling to or from Algeria, effective until further notice.

In a statement, Mali's Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure stated: "This decision was taken as a reciprocal measure in response to the Algerian government's decision to close its airspace to all aviation coming from or destined for Mali."

The ministry confirmed it was "notifying both national and international public opinion of this airspace closure."