France to Deploy Troops to Protect Saudi Red Sea Oil Hub Amid Houthi Attacks

France has announced plans to send troops to Saudi Arabia to bolster the defense of a critical oil refinery and pipeline in the Red Sea port of Yanbu. This move comes as Houthi missile attacks on Saudi infrastructure escalate, pushing oil prices to a one-week high and raising concerns about global supply disruptions.

President Emmanuel Macron stated that the deployment would include soldiers, radar systems, and defense systems, emphasizing that France is not entering the conflict but aims to protect vital energy assets. Yanbu is a key node for Saudi oil exports, particularly to Europe, and has recently been targeted by both Houthi drone and missile strikes, as well as an earlier drone attack on an Iraqi pipeline. The attacks have exacerbated existing diesel supply crises worldwide.