French President Macron announced on Thursday (September 24) that France will be sending troops and defense systems to Saudi Arabia to assist in protecting the key energy hub city of Yanbu.
“We will be sending military resources – including soldiers, radars, and defense systems – to protect the facilities in Yanbu located in the Red Sea,” Macron said in an interview with TF1 and France 2. He added that this decision has been finalized with the Saudi authorities. The facilities in Yanbu are crucial for transporting “millions of barrels” of oil and have been severely damaged due to previous attacks.
However, Macron emphasized that the French military has no intention of engaging in any combat. “We are not looking to get involved in any conflict but to protect the facilities there,” Macron clarified.
He also mentioned that France is seeking diplomatic solutions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, especially through discussions with “Iranian” and “Omani” counterparts.
Facing increasing pressure domestically due to high energy prices, Macron reassured the French people that with winter approaching, France has sufficient reserves of oil and natural gas. He stated that the French government is actively working to ensure uninterrupted energy supply.
Recent sharp increases in crude oil prices are attributed to a major alternate transportation route for Saudi oil exports via Yanbu being targeted by missile attacks from the Houthi militants in Yemen.
On Thursday, Saudi Arabia intercepted 6 ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi militants. According to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, the targets of these missiles were the western Saudi city of Taif and the Yanbu region along the Red Sea coast.
The Houthi militants later claimed to have targeted “sensitive sites” in the Saudi capital Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Saudi authorities have not confirmed any attacks on Riyadh. The Saudi Civil Defense Department did not issue any emergency alerts for Riyadh on Thursday.
The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi militants is posing a threat to Saudi Arabia’s ability to export oil through the Red Sea. Currently, transportation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is disrupted, and Saudi’s “east-west oil pipeline” just resumed operations earlier this month after drone attacks. The Iran-backed Houthi militants declared a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, opening a second front in the US-Iran conflict.