France’s Macron lands in Riyadh on surprise ‘solidarity’ visit

French President Emmanuel Macron undertook an unexpected "solidarity" visit to Riyadh on Wednesday, marking the first such trip by a Western leader since Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis ramped up their assaults. As the capital of a major oil-producing nation, Saudi Arabia has been under near-daily Houthi attacks. This unannounced visit aimed to reassure Macron's own oil-rich ally amid the escalating conflict.

Macron's trip was part of a broader tour of the Gulf states focused on securing oil and diesel deliveries to France, alongside efforts to curb the rising costs of living. Despite criticism in France, the President insisted his visit was simply "doing his job" to ease tensions over gas prices, a key driver of recent social unrest.

During his brief stay in Riyadh, Macron met with the de facto Saudi leader, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The two leaders agreed that Saudi Arabia would supply extra diesel to France for as long as needed, and discussed enhanced security cooperation and infrastructure projects to circumvent the Houthi blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Macron's visit came as Saudi Arabia seeks Western backing in the midst of the escalating attacks. French troops were previously deployed to safeguard the critical Saudi oil terminal of Yanbu on the Red Sea from Houthi strikes. Previous truces in Yemen have repeatedly collapsed, leading to a surge in Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and oil installations. In response, Saudi jets have retaliated against Houthi forces.