Operation Jacana was the designated codename for a series of operations executed by coalition forces in Afghanistan, with 45 Commando Royal Marines being notably involved. The operation also saw the participation of U.S. forces, Australian SAS, and Norwegian FSK. Conceived as a continuation of Operation Anaconda, the primary objective of Operation Jacana was to capture or eliminate the residual Al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents. It has been characterized as a “mopping-up” effort in the aftermath of Operation Anaconda. The operation derived its name from a species of African bird, jacana, which is often described as “shy, retiring, easily overlooked” in various manuals.
45 Commando Royal Marines played a significant role in Operation Jacana, along with other coalition forces including U.S. forces, Australian SAS, and Norwegian FSK. These diverse units worked collaboratively to execute a series of operations under the umbrella of Operation Jacana, with the ultimate aim of stabilizing the region by neutralizing insurgent threats.
The operations under Jacana involved rigorous searches, combat engagements, and efforts to gather intelligence on insurgent activities. It was a significant component of the broader campaign to establish security and stability in Afghanistan by countering the insurgency and aiding reconstruction efforts in the country.
The series of operations listed below were primarily designed to hunt down and “clean up” the remaining Al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents who had survived or escaped during the earlier Operation Anaconda.