Greece has deployed an MIM-101 Patriot anti-air missile battery to Saudi Arabia since 2021—a deployment not universally welcomed in Athens.
The war in Iran began after Israel and the United States commenced precision strikes against the Iranian military, political leadership, and intelligence services on February 28.
A month later, the conflict has escaped the narrow confines of the three combatants and has involved countries from across the Middle East and even Europe. Indeed, in a recent example of the war’s escalation, a Greek MIM-104 Patriot air defense unit downed at least two Iranian ballistic missiles over one of the most important ports of Saudi Arabia on Thursday, March 19.
Why Are Greek Anti-Air Batteries Fighting Iranian Ballistic Missiles?
Iran recently threatened to attack the Bab el Mandeb Strait in response to US strikes against Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf. Kharg Island serves as the final point for Iran’s 90 percent of oil exports, and Tehran responded with a salvo of ballistic missiles against the Saudi port and energy terminal in Yanbu, a port in central Saudi Arabia near the Red Sea.
The Iranian missiles were targeting the port and oil refineries in the area, which have gained increasing value following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Greece imports hundreds of millions of euros’ worth of oil from Saudi Arabia every year, making the protection of Saudi ports a clear strategic imperative for Athens.
“The protection of refineries and oil units is of great importance,” Greek Minister of Defense Nikos Dendias said in a televised statement.
The presence of an Iranian ally close to Yanbu is an added headache. The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have rhetorically sided with Iran, but have yet to actually join the conflict on its side. Yanbu is located about 600 miles northwest of Yemen, well within range of Houthi missiles and drones.
Greece and Saudi Arabia have established a close military relationship over the past decade, with frequent joint military drills and training events. The Hellenic military has deployed a MIM-104 Patriot air defense battery in Saudi Arabia since 2021 as part of a bilateral agreement between the two countries for the protection of Saudi energy infrastructure. This is one of the few deployments of Greek troops outside the country—a step that not all Greeks have supported, particularly given Saudi Arabia’s questionable human rights record.
Thursday’s shootdown marked the first time the Greek MIM-104 unit fired in anger while stationed in Saudi Arabia.
Why Is Iran Firing Missiles at Saudi Arabia’s West Coast?
Yanbu is located in between the Suez Canal and the Bab el Mandeb Strait.
The Bab el Mandeb Strait leads from the Gulf of Aden into the Red Sea and from there to the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea. Yemen in the north and Djibouti in the south border the strategic maritime lane. To be sure, it is not as important as the Strait of Hormuz, which is located about 1,700 miles to the east. But the Bab el Mandeb Strait is the gateway from Europe and Egypt and controls a significant amount of the world’s commercial maritime traffic.
Prior to the Strait of Hormuz’ closure, approximately 20 million barrels of oil, or 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, sailed through it every day. Tankers carrying oil and liquefied natural gas are currently trapped inside, causing significant trouble to the global economy.
As a result, Yanbu, with the ability to export about 4 to 5 million barrels of oil per day, and the Bab el Mandeb Strait are suddenly far much more important—justifying their continued protection by outside powers such as Greece.
About the Author: Stavros Atlamazoglou
Stavros Atlamazoglou is a seasoned defense journalist specializing in special operations and a Hellenic Army veteran (national service with the 575th Marine Battalion and Army HQ). He holds a BA from the Johns Hopkins University and an MA from the Johns Hopkins’ School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). His work has been featured in Business Insider, Sandboxx, and SOFREP.