Can you think of military reasons for the severe treatment of terrain survivors?

Severe treatment of terrain survivors can be seen as a tactic to instill fear and discourage resistance among local populations, thereby maintaining control over a region. Additionally, harsh treatment may be employed to gather intelligence or prevent potential insurgency by demonstrating the consequences of defiance. Such actions can also serve as a means to eliminate any perceived threats to military operations and to assert dominance over the area. Ultimately, these strategies are often aimed at achieving strategic objectives through psychological warfare.