Macron Deploys Troops to Protect Vital Oil Pipeline in Saudi Arabia
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will send military personnel to Saudi Arabia to protect the port of Yanbu, a key oil pipeline terminus on the Red Sea coast. The move aims to help stabilize oil markets by defending this critical facility, which has been under threat from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The East-West oil pipeline carries crude from fields in eastern Saudi Arabia and has played a crucial role during the Middle East conflict, allowing Saudi Arabia to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. With a capacity of five million barrels per day, the pipeline can be temporarily increased to seven million if needed.
According to Macron, stabilizing the situation at such critical points has a direct impact on fuel prices. 'As soon as things calm down at one of these locations, it's immediately reflected in prices at the pump. Within two days, you'll see it at gas stations,' he said.