What does Judges 7:24 mean?

Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying, 'Come down and cut off the Midianites before they reach the Jordan River.' So all the men of Ephraim were called out, and they captured the water crossings as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan. Judges 7:24 - Modern Text Bible

(Gideon calls for backup to block the enemy's escape routes.)