France’s military wants to protect oil port in Saudi Arabia

Conflict with Houthis in Yemen

France’s military wants to protect oil port in Saudi Arabia

Soldiers, radar systems and defense systems: France wants to protect an oil facility in Saudi Arabia that is important for the world market. This should help bring fuel prices down again.

To supply the world market with oil Saudi Arabia France’s military will protect an important oil terminal for 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 the French president Emmanuel Macron 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 behind the USA the second largest oil producer and main exporter of the raw material that is central to the global economy. The important East-West pipeline bypasses the actually blocked pipeline Strait of Hormuz large quantities of oil from the country’s east coast on the Persian Gulf for shipment to Yanbu on the Red Sea to the west.

The 1,200 kilometer long tubes were destroyed after attacks by the Iran supported Houthi militia from the neighboring country Yemen shut down as a precautionary measure around two weeks ago. 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.

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 Gas price. 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 the US President Donald Trumpwhich calls for 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. Also Great Britain Saudi Arabia recently promised defensive military assistance in the fight against the Houthis – in the form of aerial refueling aircraft.

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.

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.