The siege was part of a plan to isolate the Republic from its hinterland , and co-ordinated with Olivare 's naval war spearheaded by the Dunkirkers , to economically choke the Dutch Republic .

Belgium was divided into administrative zones , the General Government of Brussels and its hinterland ; a second zone , under the 4th Army , including Ghent and Antwerp and a third zone under the German Navy along the coastline .