France to Send Defensive Military Aid to Saudi Arabia Against Houthi Attacks
- France is deploying military assets, radar units, and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia to protect the kingdom from incoming drone and missile strikes launched by Houthi forces...
- Speaking on France 2, Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that the military assistance provided to Riyadh is strictly defensive and does not mean Paris has entered the conflict.
- Jean-Noël Barrot Barrot added that France has deployed military assets since the start of the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran to protect allies and...
France is deploying military assets, radar units, and air defense systems to Saudi Arabia to protect the kingdom from incoming drone and missile strikes launched by Houthi forces in Yemen. French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot announced the deployment on the state-owned television network France 2, following an initial announcement by President Emmanuel Macron.
Defensive Nature of the French Deployment
Speaking on France 2, Jean-Noël Barrot emphasized that the military assistance provided to Riyadh is strictly defensive and does not mean Paris has entered the conflict. When asked whether the deployment makes France a participant in the war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement, Barrot rejected the notion directly.
Sama sekali tidak (ikut peranga). Ini hanya bersifat defensif,
Jean-Noël Barrot Barrot added that France has deployed military assets since the start of the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran to protect allies and partners. He stated that Paris will never be considered a belligerent party in the hostilities. According to the foreign minister, the ultimate scale of the French military deployment to Saudi Arabia will depend on official requests from Riyadh, available French military capacities, and how the regional situation evolves.
Renewed Conflict and Energy Infrastructure Threats
The military reinforcement comes as the conflict in Yemen intensified following the collapse of a multi-year ceasefire in July, opening a new front in the wider Middle East war. Houthi forces, backed by Iran, have repeatedly targeted Saudi energy installations, including major oil terminals in Yanbu. The armed group has sought to enforce a blockade on Saudi energy exports, which were diverted to the Red Sea after Iranian attacks disrupted transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia provides military backing to the Yemeni government forces in its ongoing fight against the Houthi movement.
