France said Tuesday it was expelling 12 Algerian diplomatic officials a day after Algeria announced the expulsion of the same number of French officials in escalating tensions between the two countries.

The move followed expulsions of French officials by Algeria after an Algerian official was accused of kidnapping an influencer who had been granted political asylum in France.

France said it will recall its ambassador to Algeria for consultations, following the expulsion of French consular and diplomatic staff from the North African country amid an escalating dispute over indictments related to terrorism.