• France expelled 12 Algerian diplomats in response to Algeria's earlier expulsion of French officials.
• Diplomatic tensions escalated after the arrest of an Algerian consular official connected to alleged kidnapping.
• Both nations have accused each other of responsibility for the rapid deterioration of bilateral relations.
• Disagreements over issues like Western Sahara and political asylum contribute to ongoing strife.
• This crisis marks a significant dip in relations since Algeria's independence from France in 1962.

France's President Emmanuel Macron has ordered the expulsion of 12 Algerian diplomatic officials, a retaliatory measure following Algeria's earlier decision to expel the same number of French officials. This crisis, which threatens to unravel months of diplomatic efforts to reconcile, began when Algeria announced its expulsion in response to the arrest of an Algerian consular staff member linked to an alleged kidnapping case involving an exiled critic, Amir Boukhors, also known as Amir DZ, in France, according to Le Monde.

The French response, characterized as "unjustified and incomprehensible," follows a series of deteriorating relations that escalated significantly last year. The rift intensified after France recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara—an area where Algeria supports pro-independence movements. Algerian officials have voiced their anger over this shift, seeing it as a direct affront to their longstanding geopolitical interests, as reported by BBC.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that Algeria's actions have led to a "sudden deterioration" in ties, blaming Algerian authorities for opting for escalation rather than diplomacy. He emphasized the need for France to defend its interests while expressing disappointment over the rapid downturn in relations after a phone call between Presidents Macron and Abdelmadjid Tebboune aimed at improving bilateral interactions, according to Africa News.

Algeria's Foreign Ministry labeled the recent developments as "fabricated," asserting that the arrest of the Algerian consular official was a deliberate attempt to humiliate Algiers. Amid this diplomatic turmoil, the Algerian government has issued multiple arrest warrants for Boukhors, viewing him as linked to terrorist activities, which further complicates the situation, detailed in a report by Al Jazeera.

The strained relations bear heavy historical weight, given that tensions have periodically escalated since Algeria's independence from France in 1962. This current diplomatic spat marks a dangerous chapter in the long and contentious history between the two nations, which have seen fluctuating periods of cooperation and conflict, according to TRT Global.