Macron in Riyadh: French personnel and assets have been deployed in Saudi Arabia for eight days against the Houthi threat

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on Wednesday, October 21, on a surprise solidarity visit and met Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman. The Élysée said the visit aims to show “France’s solidarity with the Kingdom in the face of Houthi attacks on its territory” and to continue efforts on the security and diversification of hydrocarbon supplies, according to the Saudi Gazette.

A few hours earlier, in Doha, Macron revealed that France already has a military presence in Saudi Arabia. Asked about France’s contribution as Britain sends fighter jets, he said Saudi Arabia has a very important pipeline from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea ending at Yanbu, and that several of its facilities were destroyed by Houthi fire. “We offered to take part in the restoration and above all in the security of this site. For eight days we have had personnel and assets deployed. We are moving forward with Saudi Arabia in this direction. So we have a defensive involvement,” he said, according to the text published by the Élysée.

“What we said is that, obviously, we stand on the side of the security and defence of Saudi Arabia,” the French president said, adding that it is important to resume talks with the Houthis and reduce tension. The visit was preceded by that of Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who met his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in Riyadh on Monday and condemned the Houthi attacks.

Riyadh was the last stop of a Gulf tour that began on October 19 and included Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Qatar. According to the Élysée, Macron continued his mobilisation for the return of stability and free navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the security of France’s energy supplies, and stronger cooperation in energy, defence and security. Macron said the priority for France is diesel and natural gas volumes.

The escalation of Houthi attacks has disrupted flights at Riyadh airport and led to the postponement of the FII investment forum to 2027. France had already announced military assets to protect oil facilities at Yanbu.