A British Royal Marine search and clear operation over a significant area believed to be used as a base by al-Qaeda and Taliban forces. Operation Snipe was one of a series of operations in Operation Jacana.  Operation Jacana was 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.

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Operation Snipe was a military operation that took place in Afghanistan in May 2002. It was conducted by British Royal Marines and was one of the early operations of the coalition forces in the War on Terror following the attacks on September 11, 2001.

The main objective of Operation Snipe was to locate and eliminate Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters believed to be operating in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan, particularly in areas near the Pakistani border. The operation also aimed to uncover and destroy any weapons caches or bases used by these militant groups.

Around 1,000 Royal Marines from 45 Commando were deployed for this operation. They were supported by allied Afghan fighters and other coalition forces, including U.S. air support. The troops faced harsh conditions, including rugged terrain and extreme weather, as they conducted search-and-destroy missions in the mountainous region.

Despite the challenging conditions and the large scale of the operation, Operation Snipe did not lead to significant direct combat with Al-Qaeda or Taliban fighters, and the results were limited in terms of militants captured or killed. The operation did, however, contribute to the broader goal of disrupting militant activities and asserting coalition control in the region.

The Royal Engineers of Task Force Jacana destroyed a cave in Afghanistan on May 10, 2002, during Operation Snipe. This was reportedly the largest explosion set off by the Royal Engineers since World War II.

Additionally, Operation Snipe was significant as it demonstrated the commitment of the international community, particularly the United Kingdom, to combating terrorism and stabilizing Afghanistan. It helped to build the capabilities and experience of the coalition forces operating in the challenging environment of Afghanistan, which would prove valuable in subsequent operations and engagements in the region.