PARIS: French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that France would send troops and defence equipment to protect Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port. The Red Sea site serves as a key route for oil exports.
Speaking to television channels TF1 and France 2, Macron described a deployment comprising soldiers, radar and defence systems. He stressed that its purpose was to protect the site without drawing France into conflict.
Yanbu provides an alternative route for Saudi crude exports. Separately, the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted ballistic missiles fired by Yemen’s Houthis.
Macron sought to reassure French households about energy supplies before winter. He maintained that France had sufficient oil and gas and was working to prevent disruptions.
On diesel supplies, he warned that a US export ban could have “catastrophic” consequences for the global and American economies. The White House has denied considering such a restriction.
During the same interview, Macron accused Russia of stepping up hostile acts against European countries. He argued that Moscow sought to intimidate Europe and weaken its support for Ukraine.
Read: US Houthi Strikes Debate Splits Pentagon Leaders
France could face attacks similar to an attempted drone strike at Leipzig airport in August, he warned. Germany has blamed Russia for that incident.
Moscow rejects European allegations of hybrid attacks as baseless and driven by hostility towards Russia.
Macron has instructed his government to prepare a plan to protect critical infrastructure against drone and cyber attacks.
(With input from Reuters and Iran International)
