Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles on Thursday after warning several regions, including Mecca, of possible attacks. The Iran-backed Houthi militia took responsibility for the strikes on Saudi cities along the Red Sea, which have added pressure to global oil supplies. These events come amid renewed fighting in Yemen that has killed dozens.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will send troops, radar, and defense systems to Saudi Arabia to help protect the Red Sea port city of Yanbu. These military assets are intended to defend an oil plant, pipeline, and refinery in the city, which is key for energy transport.
Yanbu serves as the kingdom's primary crude export terminal on the Red Sea and is connected to oil-producing regions near the Gulf coast by the East-West pipeline, also known as Petroline. During a prime-time television interview, President Macron emphasized that the French military does not intend to take part in any fighting.