French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will deploy troops and military assets to protect Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port, a critical oil export hub on the Red Sea, following missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward the Red Sea port of Yanbu and the southwestern city of Taif, according to Saudi and coalition statements. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks, warning of further escalation if external nations interfere in the Yemeni conflict.
The developments come as Yemen’s internationally recognized government urged the United Nations to address the Houthi rebels’ recent seizure of the port city of Mokha and key Red Sea islands, which grants them greater control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a chokepoint for 12% of global trade.
Immediate Developments
French military deployment
France will send soldiers, radars, and defense systems to Yanbu, Macron stated, emphasizing that the mission is strictly protective and not intended to engage in combat. The port is a vital alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, which has faced disruptions amid tensions between Iran and regional powers.
Houthi attacks and threats
The Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi shipping and warned other nations against involvement, though they asserted no threat to commercial vessels in the Red Sea. Saudi civil defense authorities issued emergency alerts across multiple regions, including Mecca, Jeddah, and Yanbu, before reporting that the immediate danger had passed.
Regional and Global Implications
Saudi response and coalition stance
The Saudi-led coalition, formed in 2015 to counter the Houthi movement, condemned the attacks as “escalatory violations” and vowed a firm response. Greek forces in Saudi Arabia, using a U.S.-made Patriot system, intercepted a ballistic missile and drone in the Yanbu region.
Economic and trade concerns
Yemen’s government highlighted the economic risks posed by the Houthi advances, noting that the rebels’ control over the Red Sea coast enhances their ability to monitor and potentially disrupt shipping. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical route for oil tankers traveling between Europe and Asia, with Yanbu serving as a key transit point for Saudi oil exports.
Background and Context
Houthi control in Yemen
The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and much of the north for over a decade. Their recent military gains along the Red Sea coast have raised alarms among international observers about the potential for broader regional instability.
International reactions
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud emphasized that the Houthi threat extends beyond Yemen, calling for global cooperation to safeguard critical shipping routes. He noted that while Saudi Arabia is defending itself, the situation requires a broader international response.
The United Nations has been pressed by Yemen’s government to take action against the Houthi rebels, who have declared a blockade on Saudi shipping and warned of further escalation if their demands are not met.