France Announces Military Deployment to Protect Saudi Oil Facilities at Yanbu
France is preparing to deploy military personnel, radar systems and air-defense capabilities to Saudi Arabia to help protect the country’s critical oil-export infrastructure at Yanbu, amid escalating attacks involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced the move during an interview with France 2, saying Paris would send military assets to protect the Saudi oil facilities.
🗣️ “We are going to send military assets to protect the oil facilities at Yanbu in Saudi Arabia,” Macron said
The French president also indicated that Rafale fighter jets could be deployed if necessary, depending on how the security situation develops and what additional capabilities Saudi Arabia requests.
Yanbu is a strategically important oil-export hub on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast, making its protection particularly significant amid concerns over attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure and disruptions to regional oil flows.
The proposed French deployment would add another European military presence to Saudi Arabia as Riyadh seeks additional air-defense and security support against missile and drone threats.
The announcement comes as regional tensions remain elevated, with the Houthis continuing to pose a threat to Saudi and Red Sea infrastructure, while governments in the region seek to protect critical energy facilities and shipping routes.