The diplomatic clarification follows a surge in hostilities, including 26 Saudi F-15 airstrikes within 24 hours targeting provinces including Taiz and Al-Jawf. Houthi-run health officials reported that a raid on the Taiz Central Market killed 7 people and wounded 40, while Saudi sources claimed the targets were military camps using civilians as human shields. In Riyadh, authorities ordered all schools and colleges to shift to remote learning for one week after the interception of two Houthi drones on Sept. 26.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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France Deploys Defensive Forces to Protect Saudi Yanbu Terminal
War23 days ago
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot rejected any suggestion that France has become a co-belligerent in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels on Sunday. He stated that troops, radar units, and defense systems deployed to the kingdom are tasked with strictly defensive operations. These military resources, which have been increased since the start of the war in Iran, are specifically deployed to protect the Yanbu oil export terminal on the Red Sea.
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