Zinoune, Mohammed

Abstract: Unauthorized airspace intrusions by military and civilian drones present critical challenges to state sovereignty and international law. This study examines the legal framework governing the protection of aerial sovereignty against illicit drone usage, focusing on the Algerian army's downing of a Malian drone. Utilizing an analytical approach, the research assesses the legality of this interception under international law. It concludes that the Algerian action constitutes a legitimate exercise of self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter due to the unauthorized entry, highlighting the vital balance between preserving state sovereignty and adhering to international legal limits on the use of force.