France Deploys Forces to Defend Saudi Oil Terminal

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday evening that France will send soldiers, radars, and air defence systems to defend Saudi Arabia's oil terminal at Yanbu. The decision comes after a series of attacks by Houthi forces in Yemen, including claims of ballistic missile strikes on the terminal.

The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting six ballistic missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu earlier that day, but the Houthis claimed two waves of attacks on Saudi targets, including one against the Aramco facility at Yanbu.

Macron's announcement was made in a television interview and did not provide specifics on troop numbers or equipment types. However, it is reported that France has deployed its SAMP/T system, known as MAMBA, which is capable of engaging both aircraft and ballistic targets, supported by Ground Master family radars.

The British Royal Air Force also sent a Voyager tanker from Cyprus to support Saudi air defence operations, while the United States maintains military escorts for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz but has announced no deployment dedicated to Saudi air defence.