To help supply the world market with oil from Saudi Arabia, France's military will protect a key oil terminal in the kingdom on the Red Sea. For this purpose, soldiers, radar systems and defense systems would be sent to the port city of Yanbu, said French President Emmanuel Macron to the channels TF1 and France 2. The talks with Saudi Arabia were concluded today, he said in the interview published on Thursday evening.
Before the Iran war, Saudi Arabia was the second largest oil producer behind the USA and the most important exporter of the raw material, which is of central importance to the global economy. The important east-west pipeline, bypassing the effectively blocked Strait of Hormuz, brings large quantities of oil from the country's east coast on the Persian Gulf to be shipped to Yanbu on the Red Sea to the west.
The 1,200 kilometer long pipes were shut down as a precautionary measure around two weeks ago following attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militia from neighboring Yemen. According to media reports, oil is now flowing through the pipeline again - although significantly less than before due to the damage caused by the attack. The maximum capacity is up to seven million barrels per day.
Macron said facilities in Yanbu were “severely damaged” in the Houthi attacks. France does not want to take part in a conflict; it is only about protecting the important oil terminal in Yanbu.
Macron: Stabilizing Yanbu will bring down fuel prices
Five million barrels (barrels of 159 liters each) of crude oil could be loaded via Yanbu every day, Macron said. Such an amount has a direct impact on the price of fuel. If the situation there improves, this will be reflected in lower prices at the gas station two days later, he argued. Macron is under pressure domestically because of high fuel prices - as is US President Donald Trump, who is demanding more commitment from US allies in the region.
In the interview, Macron did not provide any precise information about the number of French soldiers to be sent to Saudi Arabia. He also did not specify which military systems would be sent there. His mention of radar facilities suggests that the operation will primarily be about air defense to ward off possible attacks by the Houthis with drones or ballistic missiles. Great Britain also recently promised Saudi Arabia defensive military aid in the fight against the Houthis - in the form of aircraft for aerial refueling.
When journalists asked whether the deployment of French fighter jets was also planned, Macron replied that this was not currently planned. “We will monitor developments and then act as necessary,” he said. France has combat aircraft in the region.
Houthi rebels endanger oil exports to Asia
Since the start of the Iran war at the end of February and the extensive blockage of the Strait of Hormuz due to Iranian threats and attacks on ships, Saudi Arabia has been trying to use the pipeline to prevent an even greater slump in its oil exports. Meanwhile, the most important alternative route for exports across the Red Sea is also partly at risk.
After the recent Houthi advance, the Shiite militia controls Yemen's Red Sea coast and strategically important islands. This makes it easier for the Houthis to prevent Saudi ships from passing through the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern exit of the Red Sea, which must be passed through for exports to Asia. Saudi Arabia's export route via the northern Red Sea and the Suez Canal towards Europe, on the other hand, can currently be used without restrictions.
Houthis are part of Tehran’s “Axis of Resistance”
In the wake of the Iran war, the conflict in Yemen that has been going on for years has flared up again. The government there, backed by Saudi Arabia and other allies, is fighting the Houthis alongside pro-government forces. The Islamist rebels - similar to Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Gaza Strip - belong to the Iranian "Axis of Resistance", a regional network of militias that are supported by Iran with weapons, technology, expertise and money.
