France begins operational support to help protect Saudi oil facilities

France has announced the start of operational measures under its agreement with Saudi Arabia to help protect oil facilities, as part of ongoing defense cooperation to strengthen the Kingdom's energy infrastructure security.

On September 22, France stated its readiness to assist in securing Saudi energy sites targeted by Houthi attacks, describing its involvement as "strictly defensive," according to a diplomatic source.

The source told AFP that Paris is prepared to help secure Saudi energy infrastructure in Yanbu and along the East-West pipeline, emphasizing that this does not involve participation in the conflict against the Houthis.

The East-West pipeline has gained strategic importance since the outbreak of conflict with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as it allows Saudi Arabia to transport oil from eastern production fields to the Red Sea coast for export, providing an alternative route for oil shipments away from the strait.