World · Middle East · 2 hrs ago
Macron pledges French military support for Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as Houthi attacks on the Kingdom intensify.
France has sent military personnel and defensive capabilities over the past eight days to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory.
Macron said France also proposed helping restore and protect the East-West oil pipeline, which has been damaged in the attacks.
The attacks have targeted civilian infrastructure, aviation facilities and energy sites, disrupting flights and prompting a major conference to be postponed.
France says the visit demonstrates solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supports efforts to secure and diversify energy supplies.
Macron and Saudi leaders are holding talks on security and cooperation, following discussions between the countries' foreign ministers earlier this week.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on October 21 and pledged support for Saudi Arabia’s defence against Houthi attacks.
He said France had deployed military personnel and defensive capabilities over the preceding eight days.
Macron was due to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during what France described as a solidarity visit.
France also proposed helping to rehabilitate and protect Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, which has been damaged by Houthi attacks.
The visit came amid disruptions to Saudi aviation and oil exports and the postponement of a major investment conference.
- Who
- French President Emmanuel Macron pledged support for Saudi Arabia.
- What
- France said it had sent military personnel and defensive capabilities to help defend the kingdom against Houthi attacks.
- When
- October 21, 2026; Macron said the deployment had taken place over the preceding eight days.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Macron made the deployment remarks in Doha before travelling to Riyadh.
- Why
- France said the visit would show solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support efforts to secure and diversify hydrocarbon supplies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Houthis intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, according to the articles.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot to discuss bilateral relations and regional security.
France deployed military personnel and defensive capabilities to support Saudi Arabia’s defence, Macron said.
Macron arrived in Riyadh for a visit and was due to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- French president
- Emmanuel Macron
- Saudi meeting
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- Deployment
- Military personnel and defensive capabilities over eight days
- Pipeline
- East-West oil pipeline; France proposed helping rehabilitate and protect it
- Visit date
- October 21, 2026
- Air travel impact
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh had suspended flights
3 sources
What people are saying
We are moving forward with Saudi Arabia in this direction, and therefore we have a defensive contribution to help,
demonstrate France's solidarity with the Kingdom in the face of the attacks carried out by the Houthis against its territory, and to continue efforts undertaken on securing and diversifying hydrocarbon supplies