Stay-behind networks

Stay-behind networks are covert systems set up by military or intelligence agencies to remain active in a country even after official forces withdraw. They involve trained personnel or agents who hide within the country to gather intelligence, sabotage operations, or restore connections if needed later. These networks are maintained secretly and can be activated if the main force is gone, serving as a contingency plan for future conflicts or crises. Essentially, they act as underground resilience teams designed to keep a country's covert operational capability intact over time.