UNITED NATIONS, United States, Sept 27, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Mali's prime minister on Friday accused Algeria before the United Nations of supporting "international terrorism" after the downing of a Malian army drone.

"We will not be bystanders to adversity. For every bullet fired against us, we shall respond in turn. For every ill word, we shall respond in turn," Abdoulaye Maiga, an officer serving as prime minister of Mali's military junta.

"We call on the Algerian junta to stop supporting international terrorism and to commit resolutely to promoting peace," he said in a speech at the UN General Assembly.

Since April, the western African nation has complained that its northern neighbor shot down a Malian military drone over the Sahara, saying it was in Mali's airspace.

Algeria denied that claim, saying the drone had crossed into its airspace.

Mali filed a complaint to the International Court of Justice, a move Algerian officials described as "shameless."

Mali has been locked in a security crisis since 2012 with large parts of the country falling prey to criminal gangs and jihadists.