France's Military Support to Saudi Arabia: Defensive in Nature

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has clarified that French military support to Saudi Arabia is strictly defensive in nature. The clarification comes after President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France would be sending troops, radar units, and 'defence systems' to Saudi Arabia. This move aims to help Riyadh confront attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis.

The Houthi attacks have targeted Saudi oil installations and the key oil terminal of Yanbu, with the group seeking to impose a blockade on Saudi energy exports. Since the US-Israel war against Iran started, France has deployed military assets to protect its allies.

Barrot emphasized that this deployment is not a partnership in Saudi Arabia's war against the Houthis and that France would never be considered co-belligerents. The scale of the French deployment will depend on Riyadh's request as well as 'our own capacities and how the situation develops'.