Mecca Joint Defence Agreement

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France sends troops and air defenses to protect Saudi oil port Yanbu

As of September 2026: Being activated to coordinate Saudi, Pakistani, and Turkish military chiefs

France will send troops, radar systems, and air-defense equipment to protect Yanbu, Saudi Arabia's main Red Sea oil export terminal, President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday. Saudi Arabia is also lining up support from Pakistan and Turkey under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, and the UN Security Council on Friday affirmed Riyadh's right to self-defense.

Updated Sep 26