President Macron on Thursday announced France will send troops, radar units and
"defense systems" to Saudi Arabia. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the
assistance, aimed at helping Riyadh counter Houthi attacks, is strictly
"defensive" and does not make France a partner in any Saudi campaign against the
Houthis; when asked if the deployments could leave France classed as a
co-belligerent he replied "absolutely not" and "never," adding that since (the
US and Israel) went to war with Iran France has deployed forces to protect its
allies and partners.
