An Infantryman's Guide to Combat in Built-Up Areas (FM 90-10-1)

The urban growth in all areas of the world has changed the face of the battlefield. Military operations on urbanized terrain (MOUT) constitute the battlefield in the Eurasian continent. It includes all man-made features (cities, towns, villages) as well as natural terrain. Combat in built-up areas focuses on fighting for and in those cities, towns, and villages.

The probability is great that United States forces will become engaged by enemy forces who are intermingled with the civilian population. Therefore, units using the techniques outlined in this manual under these conditions must obey the rules of engagement issued by their headquarters and the laws of land warfare. Infantry commanders and staffs should concentrate on the skills contained in Chapters 3 through 5 as they train their units.

This manual provides the infantryman with guidelines and techniques for fighting against an organized enemy in built-up areas who may or may not be separated from the civilian population. Some techniques for dealing with insurgents, guerrillas, and terrorists are included: however, the manuals which best address these issues are FM 7-98 and FM 90-8. This manual does not address any techniques for missions that require the restoration of order to urban areas. Information and techniques to accomplish this mission are addressed in FM 19-15.