France Deploys Troops to Protect Saudi Oil Infrastructure from Houthi Attacks
France has announced plans to send troops and military equipment to Saudi Arabia to protect its oil infrastructure from repeated Houthi attacks. The deployment, described as 'strictly defensive' by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, aims to safeguard key energy assets in the region. Yanbu, a major oil storage and refining hub, is one of the targeted sites.
The French move comes after President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France would send soldiers, radars, and defense systems to Saudi Arabia, particularly to help secure the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Barrot emphasized that this deployment was not a sign of direct involvement in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels.
The scale of France's military deployment will depend on what Saudi Arabia requests, France's own capabilities, and how the regional situation develops, according to Barrot. The renewed Houthi attacks have added pressure on Saudi Arabia's energy export routes, with the Houthis seeking to impose a blockade on Saudi energy exports.