France announces the start of defensive operations to protect Saudi oil facilities

Paris - Ofoq News - France announced the start of what it described as “defensive operations” to protect Saudi oil facilities, in light of the escalating confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group in Yemen, according to what the Israeli newspaper “Maariv” reported, citing Reuters, Thursday, October 15, 2026.

According to the report, a spokesman for the French Deputy Foreign Minister announced the start of these operations, without the published information including clear details regarding the nature of French participation, or the size of the forces and military capabilities that may be used to protect oil installations.

The announcement comes amid an increasing military escalation, after the Houthis threatened to continue targeting Saudi airports and oil installations, following the attack that targeted the Aramco headquarters in the city of Dhahran, which caused a fire and damage inside the building, according to sources quoted by Reuters.

Saudi Arabia has also witnessed missile and air attacks over the past few days, while Saudi forces announced the interception of air threats, amid fears of the expanding scope of the confrontation and its repercussions on the security of oil installations and energy supplies.