France Deploys Troops to Protect Saudi Yanbu Oil Port Amid Houthi Attacks and Energy Price Pressures

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24, 2026, that France will send soldiers, radar systems, and defense assets to Saudi Arabia's Red Sea port of Yanbu to safeguard critical oil export infrastructure. The move follows recent missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis on the facility, which serves as a key bypass for Saudi crude exports avoiding the Strait of Hormuz. Macron explicitly framed the deployment as defensive, stating it was agreed with Saudi authorities and aimed 'not to get us involved in any conflicts, but to protect this site.'

Multiple outlets, including Reuters and Bloomberg, confirm the announcement during a primetime TF1 and France 2 interview, linking it directly to surging global and European energy prices exacerbated by Middle East disruptions. Yanbu has handled over 5 million barrels per day recently, making its security vital for stabilizing markets. The East-West pipeline feeding the port has faced prior attacks, including from Iraq-based groups.

The decision intersects with domestic French concerns over record diesel prices (reaching €2.23/liter EU average) and fuel shortages affecting commuters, fishermen, and industry. Macron tied the deployment to broader efforts to secure supplies amid conflicts involving Iran, the US, and regional actors, while ruling out direct combat involvement. Possibility of Rafale jets was left open depending on developments. This reflects France's strategy of limited military support for energy security without full entanglement, echoing earlier naval deployments in the region.