: Civilians who provide clandestine support such as logistics, safe houses, and early warnings. Historical and Strategic Context Unconventional Warfare Pocket Guide - Public Intelligence

A successful UW effort typically involves three main organizational elements:

: Deploying teams (like Special Forces) into the denied area.

: The armed, militarized component that conducts overt combat.

Unlike conventional warfare, which involves direct confrontation between states using standard weapons, UW operates "through or with" local forces. It relies heavily on , subversion, and guerrilla warfare. The Seven Phases of UW