text: Offensive Considerations in Counterinsurgency
  emplacement of a sniper, or allow the covert positioning of a force for a later attack. Units must be careful
  about too closely linking projects and offensive operations to ensure that they do not inadvertently decrease
  the population’s support.
  SUPPORT TO ECONOMIC AND INFRASTRUCTURE
  DEVELOPMENT
  5-223. Tactical units conducting COIN must consider how offensive operations can assist in stimulating
  the economy of their local area. For instance, a raid on an insurgent group that has been extorting money
  from the local factory to finance their operations may dramatically increase the capital available to conduct
  repairs to the factory. This in turn creates jobs in the village. As in essential services projects, the economic
  project may serve as a means to gather intelligence for an upcoming raid, reconnoiter for a cordon
  and search, serve as a deception for a sniper team, or be used to position forces for an attack. Units may
  decide not to conduct an offensive operation due to the economic impact of the operation.
  CONDUCT INFORMATION ENGAGEMENT
  5-224. All tactical unit offensive operations must consider and incorporate information engagements.
  Options range from simple explanation of the purpose of a raid to the head of the household, to handing
  out leaflets as part of the outer cordon, to using tactical PSYOP teams to keep the population from
  interfering with operations, to attending a city council meeting to explain a recent raid. In each endeavor,
  the counterinsurgent force must use information tasks to increase the HN government’s legitimacy, isolate
  the insurgent, and garner the support of the population.
  SUMMARY
  Offensive operations are a critical part of counterinsurgency and help Host Nations establish civil security
  and civil control. Key operations include search and attacks, cordon and searches, searches, raids,
  ambushes, and COIN patrols, especially in the “clear” phase of a clear-hold-build operation. Offensive
  operations can support other LOEs such as support Host Nation security forces and restore essential
  services. Commanders conduct offensive operations in COIN with constant considerations of the
  population in support of the seven COIN LOEs.