France Pledges Military Support as Houthi Missile Attacks Escalate
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen has escalated further, with the Houthis firing ballistic missiles at several regions in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition intercepted six of these missiles, thwarting attacks on Taif and Yanbu.
France has pledged to send military support to help protect the key oil terminal of Yanbu, which is a crucial node in Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure. French President Emmanuel Macron said that France will 'send military assets, meaning soldiers, radars, and defence systems' to shield Yanbu from further attacks.
The Houthis have been waging an escalating campaign against Saudi Arabia since July, with the group imposing a naval blockade on the country and targeting its tankers and territory. The Houthi gains have cemented Iran's hold on the two waterways that the wider Gulf relies on to ship out oil and other fuel products.
At least 150 Houthi fighters and government forces members have been killed in the past 24 hours, with many more injured or captured. The conflict has also affected the global energy market, with concerns about disruptions to oil supplies.