Clearance operations refer to military actions taken by a country's armed forces or government agencies to remove enemy troops, militants or other hostile elements from an area. This can involve various methods such as ground assaults, air strikes, and artillery bombardments to flush out and eliminate the opposing force. The term is often used in reference to counter-insurgency operations where government forces work to regain control of territory that has been seized by insurgents or other armed groups. Clearance operations can also involve the removal of landmines, unexploded ordnance or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from a area in order to make it safe for civilians and military personnel.