Control of the industrial facility and harbor at Karkand motivate this assault by US forces, where they find MEC forces marshalling to defend the industrial city and determined to meet this attack with stiff resistance. The terrain surrounding Karkand sufficiently opens to allow for sweeping fields of fire but the open ground increases the danger posed by anti-vehicle missiles and sniping. It is thus vital for both sides to secure firebases in Karkands sheltered city center.