France to Deploy Troops and Air Defense to Saudi Arabia for Yanbu Port Protection

France will deploy troops and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia to protect the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced this during an interview with TF1 and France 2.

The port of Yanbu is a key energy carrier transportation hub that has recently come under missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthis.

Macron stressed that the deployment of radars, air defense systems, and troops is strictly defensive and does not mean France is becoming involved in the regional conflict.

It is worth noting that Yemen’s Houthis seized the port of Mocha on the Red Sea coast, significantly strengthening their control over the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The United Kingdom will also provide additional military assistance to Saudi Arabia to defend against Houthi air attacks.

At Riyadh’s request, the British government has approved the deployment of an RAF Voyager (Airbus A330 MRTT) tanker aircraft to Saudi Arabia.