Which type of smoke is placed on or near the threat to suppress threat observers?

The chosen answer is correct because obscuring smoke is specifically designed to create a visual barrier that hinders the ability of enemy observers to see key targets or troop movements. This type of smoke is often deployed in combat situations to protect friendly forces by disrupting the enemy's observation capabilities, effectively suppressing any potential threat observers who may be targeting friendly operations.

Obscuring smoke can obscure sight lines, making it difficult for the enemy to acquire and engage targets accurately. It achieves this by creating a dense, visual obstruction, thereby ensuring that units can maneuver or conduct operations with a reduced risk of detection and engagement by hostile forces. This is crucial in battlefield tactics where maintaining the element of surprise or executing maneuvers without being seen is essential for operational success.

In contrast, other types of smoke deployed for different operations or purposes, such as deception, screening, or masking smoke, do not focus specifically on suppressing enemy observers as their primary function. Deception smoke may create a false image or mislead the enemy, screening smoke is often used to provide cover for units moving through areas, and masking smoke is used to hide friendly positions from enemy observation. Each has its specific tactical applications, but obscuring smoke stands out for its role in suppressing the