How does OPFOR primarily conduct counterinsurgency operations?

Winning the support of the local population and cutting off insurgent resources is pivotal in counterinsurgency operations because successful counterinsurgency relies on undermining the insurgents’ legitimacy and influence within the community. This approach aims to create a bond of trust and cooperation between the military forces and the local populace, who can provide intelligence, resources, and support against the insurgents.

Counterinsurgency is not merely a military engagement but a comprehensive approach that includes political, economic, and psychological strategies aimed at addressing the grievances that fuel the insurgency. By gaining the trust of the community, government forces can promote stability, enhance their intelligence-gathering capabilities, and effectively disrupt the insurgents' operational networks.

Moreover, cutting off insurgent resources deprives them of the financial and material support necessary for sustaining their insurgency. This can involve targeting supply lines, dismantling operational bases, and disrupting the logistical frameworks that insurgents rely on.

The other strategies mentioned, such as heavy artillery and aerial bombardment, do not effectively address the root causes of an insurgency and may, in fact, alienate the local population by causing collateral damage or civilian casualties. Also, isolating insurgents from outside support, while important, typically follows after the