French military support to Saudi 'defensive': FM

PARIS, Sept 27: French military support being given to Saudi Arabia to help it confront attacks from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis is "strictly defensive", French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Sunday.

His comment, made on state television network France 2, follows President Emmanuel Macron's announcement Thursday of French troops, radar units and "defence systems" being sent to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has come under repeated missile and drone attacks from the Houthis, after Yemen's war reignited in July after a years-long truce, adding another front to the Middle East war.

The attacks have targeted Saudi oil installations and the key oil terminal of Yanbu. Saudi Arabia is militarily backing Yemen's government forces against the Houthis.�" AFP