Operation Anaconda was launched to target remnants of the Taliban and al-Qaeda in the Shahi-Kot Valley, a stronghold where they had regrouped following initial U.S. responses after the September 11 attacks. The operation, which ran for over two weeks, involved thousands of troops, primarily from the United States with support from allied forces, marking a significant escalation in the military campaign against terrorism. U.S. forces utilized advanced aerial support, with more than 1,000 sorties designed to soften enemy resistance and provide critical intelligence. The complexity of the terrain posed challenges; high mountains and rough conditions hindered troop movements and strategy implementation.

During the first days of Operation Anaconda, a series of fierce battles took place, with U.S. ground forces engaging in brutal close combat with the enemy. The enemy's strategic use of fortified positions in the mountainous terrain complicated the offensive. The operation was significant not only for its immediate military goals but also for its longer-term objective of establishing security in Afghanistan and rooting out the terrorism network that operated in the region. Following the operation, U.S. forces continued their presence in Afghanistan, aimed at stabilizing the country and supporting the new Afghan government.

The outcome of Operation Anaconda revealed both successes in formulating direct actions against Taliban fighters and the complexities of modern warfare. The losses sustained by U.S. troops were pivotal in shaping military tactics in ongoing operations. Moreover, the operation raised questions regarding intelligence assessments and the efficacy of ground operations in conjunction with aerial bombardment, fueling debates that continued throughout the engagement in Afghanistan.