France Deploys Military Assets to Protect Saudi Oil Port

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will deploy military assets to protect Saudi Arabia's strategic Red Sea port of Yanbu from potential attacks by Yemen's Houthi group.

The decision comes after a series of ballistic missile attacks on the Taif and Yanbu areas, with Greek military personnel operating a Patriot air defense system reportedly intercepting a missile and a drone.

Yanbu is a key outlet for Saudi crude exports as it serves as the Red Sea terminus of the kingdom's East-West Pipeline. This pipeline provides an alternative route when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted, which has become increasingly relevant due to recent disruptions.