The former NATO commander wrote that the 14-country maritime coalition led by Saudi Arabia brings together a mix of large and small forces that breaks the Houthis’ control of the Red Sea.

James Stavridis, in an analysis published by Bloomberg, wrote that Egypt has the Arab world’s largest navy, and that Turkey has modern squadrons with at least 10 submarines, 17 corvettes, and 9 frigates. Turkey’s assault ship, the “Anadolu,” which is considered the world’s first operational drone aircraft carrier, can travel to the region via the Suez Canal and serve as the flagship of the operation.

Stavridis added that Saudi Arabia has more than 30 modern warships.

Stavridis warned that if a maritime approach alone is not a deterrent, the next step would be air strikes on the Houthis’ bases on land, which entails the risk of retaliation and escalation of the fighting.