6-170. The unit’s defensive plans must address how preparations for, and the conduct of, the area defense impact the civilian population of the AO. This includes the conduct of noncombatant evacuation operations for U.S. civilians and other authorized groups. The commander’s legal obligations to that civilian population must be met as long as meeting those obligations does not deprive the defense of necessary resources. Ideally, the host-nation government will have the capability to provide area security for its population and conduct the primary stability tasks. To the extent that a host-nation government is unable to conduct the immediately necessary stability tasks, the defending unit will perform stability tasks within its capability and request further support.