Macron faces pushback over plan to send soldiers and defence systems to Saudi Arabia

President Emmanuel Macron's plan to send soldiers and military equipment to Saudi Arabia in response to Houthi attacks has faced criticism from political parties in France ahead of upcoming presidential elections. The decision, seen as a defensive measure to maintain regional stability and stabilize energy prices, came after the Houthis launched attacks on Riyadh and Saudi Aramco facilities.

Details on the deployment of French troops and equipment remain scarce. The French Defense Staff stated they are working with Saudi Arabia to determine the necessary resources and capabilities for protecting critical infrastructure. However, no specifics have been disclosed regarding the nature, volume, or location of the deployed assets.

Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen questioned Macron's decision, emphasizing that France does not have a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia, unlike the UAE. She suggested that the true motivations behind the decision may not be publicly acknowledged by Macron. Meanwhile, France's Vice-President at the National Assembly, Sebastien Chenu, expressed his disagreement, stating that sending military personnel to the region is not the right approach.

Hard-left political party France Unbowed called for a parliamentary debate on the matter and urged blocking fuel price hikes due to the Houthi attacks threatening Saudi oil exports. They argued that deploying French troops to a volatile conflict zone could make France a cobelligerent in the ongoing war, which they believe should be subject to parliamentary discussion prior to a four-month operational duration.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot defended the decision, emphasizing that it is strictly defensive in nature. He stated that France has deployed military assets to protect allies and partners since the beginning of the Iran war, asserting that they were never considered belligerents.