IRIA News

6 minute read

France is sending troops, radar systems and air defense equipment to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Yanbu energy complex on the Red Sea, French President Emmanuel Macron said on September 24, as Houthi missile attacks increase risks to a major Saudi oil-export route.

Macron said the deployment had been agreed with Saudi Arabia and would be focused on protecting the strategic energy site rather than involving France in the wider regional conflict involving Iran.

“We are going to send military resources, that is to say, soldiers, radar systems and defense systems, to protect this site – not to get us involved in any conflicts, but to protect this site,” Macron said during an interview with TF1 and France 2.

Yanbu Faces Missile Threat

Yanbu is a major Saudi energy center on the Red Sea coast, with oil-refining and export facilities as well as the western end of the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline. The pipeline provides Saudi Arabia with an alternative route for moving crude from its eastern oil-producing regions to the Red Sea, reducing its dependence on exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The strategic importance of Yanbu has increased as attacks and disruptions affect energy infrastructure across the region. The port and its surrounding facilities provide an important outlet for Saudi crude exports to international markets.

Saudi Arabia said on September 24 that its air defenses intercepted six ballistic missiles launched toward areas including Yanbu and Taif.

The Houthi movement subsequently claimed that it had carried out missile and drone attacks against targets in Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco in Yanbu. The Houthi claims regarding the facilities were not independently verified.

The latest attacks followed other strikes and attempted strikes against Saudi infrastructure during the wider regional escalation. Earlier in September, a drone attack damaged infrastructure associated with the East-West oil pipeline, disrupting flows before operations were restored.

The attacks have also added pressure to global oil markets. Oil prices rose on September 24 as renewed concerns over possible disruptions to Saudi supplies added to existing uncertainty surrounding energy flows from the Middle East.

France Prepares Limited Defensive Deployment

French President Macron described France’s deployment as a defensive measure focused on protecting critical infrastructure.

The French president did not specify the number of personnel to be deployed or identify the exact radar and air defense systems that will be sent to Yanbu. His announcement confirmed that the deployment would include French personnel, radar systems and defensive equipment.

France already maintains military capabilities in the Middle East, but the specific forces and systems assigned to the Yanbu mission have not been publicly detailed.

Nous agissons pour protéger nos compatriotes des conséquences de la crise au Moyen-Orient. Objectifs : sécuriser les approvisionnements et faire baisser les prix à la pompe. pic.twitter.com/kvrgHcV4E4

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 24, 2026

Macron said the purpose of the deployment was to protect the site rather than involve France in the wider conflict. The distinction is significant as regional fighting and attacks involving Iran, the Houthis and other actors continue to affect energy infrastructure and maritime trade.

The deployment will give Saudi Arabia additional defensive capabilities around one of its most important Red Sea energy facilities while allowing Paris to maintain the limited mission described by Macron.

Protecting Alternative Oil Route

The East-West pipeline extends roughly 1,200 kilometers from Saudi Arabia’s eastern oil-producing region to Yanbu. Its strategic value is that it allows Saudi Arabia to move crude to the Red Sea without sending the oil through the Strait of Hormuz.

The pipeline can transport several million barrels of crude per day and provides an important alternative export route when disruptions affect Gulf shipping.

Any prolonged attack on Yanbu, the pipeline, or associated infrastructure could reduce the volume of crude reaching the Red Sea and place additional pressure on international oil markets.

Protecting the Yanbu complex therefore has implications beyond Saudi Arabia. The facility forms part of the infrastructure that allows one of the world’s largest oil producers to maintain exports when security conditions in the Gulf deteriorate.

Macron Raises Wider Security Concerns

Macron also used the television interview to discuss what he described as growing security threats from Russia and the possibility of further attacks against critical infrastructure in Europe.

He rejected a report by the Spanish newspaper El Mundo that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency had warned European governments about possible Russian drone attacks launched from vessels in the Mediterranean, saying that the CIA had not informed French intelligence services.

The reported intelligence warning has been disputed and should therefore be treated as a media report rather than an established intelligence assessment. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto also rejected the reported warning.

At the same time, Macron said Russia was increasing what he described as hostile and criminal activities against European countries. He warned that France could face attacks similar to the attempted drone attack on Leipzig Airport in Germany in August.

German authorities have attributed the Leipzig incident to Russia, while Moscow has rejected the accusation. Macron has also called for stronger protection of European critical infrastructure against drone and cyber threats.

Energy Security

The Yanbu deployment comes as France and other European countries continue to deal with higher energy prices and concerns over disruptions to oil and fuel supplies.

Macron said France was working to keep energy supplies stable ahead of the winter and said the country had sufficient oil and gas stocks despite higher prices.

He also warned that a possible U.S. ban on diesel exports could have serious consequences for global energy markets and the U.S. economy. The White House has denied that such a ban is under consideration.

The French deployment will add personnel, radar and air defense capabilities to the protection of critical energy infrastructure around Yanbu as missile and drone threats continue across the region.