text: Foundations of Counterinsurgency
  • Rebuild local Host Nation institutions.
  • Gain the populace’s support.
  CLEAR
  3-110. Clear is a tactical mission task that requires the commander to remove all enemy forces
  and eliminate organized resistance in an assigned area (FM 3-90). The force does this by destroying,
  capturing, or forcing the withdrawal of insurgent combatants and leaders. This task is most effectively
  initiated by a clear-in-zone or cordon-and-search operation, as well as patrolling, ambushes,
  and targeted raids.
  OFFENSIVE OPERATIONS
  3-111. Offensive operations predominate during the clear phase; however, defensive and stability
  operations are still conducted. Eliminating guerrilla forces does not remove the entrenched insurgent
  infrastructure. While leaders and the underground exist, insurgents will continue to recruit among the
  population, undermine the Host Nation government, receive supplies, and coerce the populace through
  intimidation and violence. After guerrilla forces have been eliminated, removing the insurgent
  infrastructure such as leaders, underground, and auxiliaries begins. This should be done in a way that
  minimizes the impact on the local populace.
  3-112. If insurgent forces are not eliminated, but are expelled or have broken into smaller groups instead,
  they must be prevented from reentering the area. Once counterinsurgent units have established their bases,
  platoons and companies cannot become static. They should be mobile and should patrol throughout the
  area. The local populace should be compensated for damages that occur while clearing the area of
  insurgents.
  DEFENSIVE AND STABILITY OPERATIONS
  3-113. Defensive and stability operations are continued to maintain gains and set the conditions for future
  activities. These include—
  • Isolating the area to cut off external support and to kill or capture escaping insurgents.
  • Conducting periodic patrols to identify, disrupt, eliminate, or expel insurgents, as well as secure
  the population.
  • Employing security forces and government representatives throughout the area to secure the
  populace and facilitate follow-on stages of development.
  LINES OF EFFORT
  3-114. Although the clear phase emphasizes establishing civil security, operations across the other LOEs
  must happen. Examples of complimentary actions across all LOEs include—
  Establish Civil Security
  3-115. Conduct targeting of insurgent leaders and guerrilla bands, cordon and searches of insurgent
  controlled areas, and raids on safehouses.
  Establish Civil Control
  3-116. Train and support police forces or paramilitary forces to implement curfews to interdict insurgent
  movement.
  Support HN Security Forces
  3-117. Train and use HN security forces to increase combat power during clearing operations.