Algeria maintains its disinformation campaign against the UAE

Algerian media continue to "bombard" the United Arab Emirates with reports showing signs of directives leading to a breakdown in relations between the two countries. Former Communications Minister Mohamed Bousleimani was sacked over the campaign, but its continuation under new minister Mohamed Laqab suggests the issue is "out of control". 

As Al Arab reports, the Al-Khobar newspaper persists in its campaign against the UAE with a report that included "plans to escalate tensions between the two countries and drive them further apart". 

One of the latest attacks was "the bid by the Zionist sin that controls security in the UAE, which relies on manipulated data to capitalise on public anger over the war in Gaza and Israeli policies that humiliate the UAE". This report follows an earlier one, which sought to agitate Arab public opinion against what the newspaper called "the Emirate's role in the destruction and conquest of the Arab region by its Zionist enemies". 

Last summer it published a report accusing Abu Dhabi of pursuing "a hostile and manipulative policy against Algerian interests". The Algerian regime plans to accuse any country with which it disagrees of "espionage" and harking back to Cold War quotes such as "harming Algeria's highest interests". This is an accusation that "needs an influential party figure within the Algerian media". 

The Algerian media narrative took a sharp turn after the election of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and a new military command led by General Said Chengriha, who replaces former chief of staff General Ahmed Gaed Salah. 

Regarding the UAE, especially during the country's transition period between 2019 and 2020, Algeria's attacks on Abu Dhabi are not limited to the media, but are also political, such as the National Movement for the Construction of Brotherhood, which President Abdel Kader Bin Quraina has repeatedly condemned as a UAE "plot", and are working with Israel and Morocco to conspire against Algeria. Observers believe that the lack of consensus among Algerian politicians could allow the campaign against the UAE to continue. 

Minister Bousleimani is one of the closest figures to Algerian President Tebboune. The role of the Algerian Ministry of Communications is limited to managing local media operations or media networks. Its involvement is limited to public affairs and institutions with limited influence, and influential media policies are set within key organisations, such as the Intelligence Service and other influential departments. 

Opposing the UAE is nothing more than continuing Algeria's policy 'of creating enemies for no reason, even if it harms Algeria's interests', according to Al Arab. In addition to Morocco, Algeria also has deep tensions with Spain and frosty relations with the United States and the European Union due to its proximity to France, China and Russia.