After Valais Air Base was successfully defended, the Allied Forces began preparing a counter-attack while Belka was still in limbo. The first objective was to retake Arlon, a rural plain located in north Sapin. Arlon specifically held Route 171 in it, connected by three bridges over the Aare River. With these bridges in Belkan control, Belka had the perfect opportunity to send a line of troops right through and invade even further into Sapin territory. This threat needed to be removed; with Route 171 under Allied control, supplies could move much more smoothly between Osea and Sapin.