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France will send troops, radar equipment and defence systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect the strategic Red Sea port of Yanbu following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday.
In a televised interview, Macron said the decision had been finalised in discussions with Saudi authorities. He said Yanbu, a key Saudi crude export terminal on the Red Sea, handles several million barrels of oil and had been badly damaged in a recent attack.
Macron stressed that the deployment was not intended to involve France in the conflict but to protect the energy facility.
“We are going to send military resources, that is to say, soldiers, radars and defence systems to protect this site — not to get involved in any conflict, but to protect the site,” Macron said.
He also said France would continue diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, including through discussions with Iran and Oman.
The announcement comes amid increased Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Recent attacks have targeted Saudi infrastructure and energy facilities, further raising concerns over regional security and oil supplies.
In the same interview, Macron denied reports that the CIA had provided French intelligence with information about a possible Russian drone attack launched from the sea against Europe.
He said the situation across Europe was becoming increasingly tense, describing recent hostile activities as a matter of concern for both Ukraine and European countries.
Macron said hostile activities had increased across Europe in recent weeks. He also argued that Moscow increasingly viewed Europe as Ukraine’s strategic depth because of European countries’ support for Kyiv.
The French president has previously warned of growing Russian security threats in Europe and called for stronger protection of critical infrastructure.
