Macron Vows to Protect Key Saudi Oil Terminal from Houthi Missile Attacks

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that his country will send troops to defend an oil plant in Saudi Arabia, following recent missile attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia. The Yanbu port on the Red Sea is a key terminal for Saudi oil exports.

The Houthi militia took responsibility for new attacks on Saudi territory on Thursday, including missiles fired towards the Red Sea port of Yanbu and the city of Taif. Macron stated that France would send soldiers, radar systems, and defense systems to protect the Yanbu site, but emphasized that French troops would not participate in combat.

The decision comes as tensions rise in France over surging fuel prices, which Macron attributes to international conflicts, including the US war in Iran and its disruption of the Strait of Hormuz. Macrons' pledge marks a significant escalation in the involvement of Western powers in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi militia.