Envelopment is the military tactic of seizing objectives in the enemy's rear with the goal of destroying specific enemy forces and denying them the ability to withdraw.
Rather than attacking an enemy head-on, as in a frontal assault, an envelopment seeks to exploit the enemy's flanks, attacking them from multiple directions and avoiding where their defenses are strongest.
A successful envelopment lessens the number of casualties suffered by the attacker while inducing a psychological shock on the defender and improving the chances to destroy them.
[2] While a successful tactic, there are risks involved with performing an envelopment.
[3] According to the United States Army there exist four types of envelopment:[1] A special type is the cabbage tactics that has been used by the Chinese Navy around disputed islands.