France criticizes President Macron’s decision to support Saudi Arabia — The National

In France, political forces have criticized President Emmanuel Macron’s decision to provide Saudi Arabia with military support, including by sending troops and defense systems. The decision was announced after missile and drone attacks by Iran-linked Yemeni Houthis on the Saudi capital Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.

As The National reports, French authorities describe the operation as defensive. Its stated goals are to protect critical infrastructure, preserve regional stability and contain energy prices.

Deployment details not disclosed

The office of France’s chief of the defence staff said that Paris maintains close dialogue with Saudi Arabia in order to jointly clarify the needs and resources for protecting critical facilities and infrastructure. At the same time, the French side is not disclosing the nature, scale or location of a possible deployment of military capabilities and assets.

France’s announcement came several days after the United Kingdom decided to provide support for the in-flight refuelling of Saudi fighter jets. Turkey and Pakistan sent their chiefs of staff to Riyadh for diplomatic talks but, according to the publication, did not provide military support.

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Opposition reaction

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, questioned Macron’s decision. She noted that France does not have a mutual defence treaty with Saudi Arabia similar to its agreement with the United Arab Emirates. France previously sent Rafale fighter jets and air defense systems to the UAE after Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Sébastien Chenu, vice president of the National Rally in the National Assembly, said he does not consider sending French troops to the region to be the right decision. Representatives of the left-wing France Unbowed party called for parliamentary debates, stressing the risk of the country being drawn into a military conflict.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot insists that support for Saudi Arabia is purely defensive in nature. Under the French constitution, the government must inform parliament about the deployment of armed forces no later than three days after the operation begins; if it lasts more than four months, a parliamentary vote is required.