"The European Union regrets the decision taken by the transition authorities to put an end to the peace accord signed in Algiers in 2015," said a statement from the office of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.

Civilians in northern Mali "will be the first to suffer the consequences", it warned, adding: "The negative impact of this rupture could be felt nationally and regionally."

Mali's leaders on Thursday announced the end of the 2015 peace deal with mainly Tuareg groups that Algeria had helped mediate.

The junta, which seized power in 2020, blamed the "change in posture of certain signatory groups" and "acts of hostility" by Algeria, with which relations have soured.