Mali said Thursday it had filed an application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Algeria, accusing it of having shot down one of its military drones.

It said the drone, which was shot down in early April, was still in Malian territory, which would make the incident a violation of its airspace.

Algeria has rejected the accusation, citing defence ministry radar data to argue that the reconnaissance drone from junta-led Mali had violated its own airspace.

The issue has sparked a diplomatic crisis that has seen the neighbours recall their ambassadors and close airspace to each other.

In a statement Thursday, Mali's territorial administration ministry said it had "submitted an application instituting proceedings against Algeria before the International Court of Justice".

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