France to deploy forces to protect Saudi’s Yanbu

France to deploy forces to protect Saudi’s Yanbu

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that France will send military personnel, radar systems and defence equipment to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, a key hub for the kingdom’s energy exports.

Macron made the announcement during an interview with French broadcasters after attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said the deployment followed an agreement reached with Saudi authorities and would focus on protecting the strategic site rather than drawing France into the wider regional conflict.

Yanbu has gained greater strategic importance as tensions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to threaten regional energy routes. The port provides Saudi Arabia with an alternative outlet for crude exports through the Red Sea, allowing the kingdom to reduce its dependence on routes passing through the Gulf.

The French president described energy security as a major reason behind the decision. Protecting Yanbu, he said, would contribute to both international and domestic energy security.

The announcement comes after a series of attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi targets. Reuters reported that the Houthis recently claimed to have targeted a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu. Saudi authorities have also reported intercepting missiles aimed at the kingdom, including attacks involving Yanbu.

The recent attacks have raised concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia’s critical energy infrastructure, particularly as the country relies more heavily on its Red Sea facilities amid wider regional tensions.

Saudi Arabia has also worked to restore its East-West oil pipeline, which connects the kingdom’s oil-producing areas in the east with its Red Sea terminals. The route allows crude to reach the Red Sea without travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, making it an important alternative export corridor.

Macron did not provide details about the number of French troops that will be deployed or specify which radar and defence systems France will provide. He stressed, however, that the mission would focus on protecting Yanbu and would not represent French participation in the wider conflict.

France’s move adds another layer to efforts by Saudi Arabia and its partners to protect vital energy infrastructure from missile and drone threats. The deployment also reflects growing international concern over the potential impact of attacks on major oil-export routes and facilities.

The security of Yanbu has become particularly important as disruptions in other regional routes could affect global oil supplies and energy markets. By strengthening the defence of the Red Sea port, Saudi Arabia and its partners aim to keep an alternative export route operational amid continuing regional instability.