The US and Iraqi forces have successfully eliminated a significant Islamic State leader, Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, better known as Abu Khadijah, during a coordinated military operation that involved a precision airstrike.
Key Islamic State Leader Killed in US-Iraq Operation
Key Islamic State Leader Killed in US-Iraq Operation
High-ranking terrorist Abdulh Makki Muslih al-Rifai eliminated in precision strike.
A high-ranking member of the Islamic State (IS) group, Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also referred to as Abu Khadijah, has been reported killed in a joint operation by the Iraqi national intelligence service and US-led coalition forces. This operation was confirmed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who characterized al-Rifai as one of the “most dangerous terrorists” both in Iraq and globally.
US President Donald Trump acknowledged the operation, stating that al-Rifai had been “relentlessly hunted down” by American military forces. According to the US Central Command (Centcom), a precision airstrike in Al Anbar province of Iraq on Thursday eliminated this key IS operative. Al-Rifai was known for his leadership role within IS’s senior decision-making body, overseeing operations, logistics, and financial activities on a global scale.
In his announcement via Truth Social, President Trump emphasized the importance of al-Rifai’s demise, claiming he was killed alongside another IS operative during the operation. The two were reportedly found wearing unexploded suicide vests and in possession of multiple firearms. The successful identification of al-Rifai was achieved through DNA matching as part of a previous operational raid in which he had narrowly escaped capture.
Gen Michael Erik Kurilla from Centcom noted the significance of al-Rifai's death, highlighting his pivotal role within the IS organization. He stressed the commitment to continue efforts targeting terrorists and dismantling organizations that pose threats to the US and its allies.
While Iraq declared the defeat of IS in December 2017, the group continues to maintain a presence through sleeper cells that actively engage in sporadic assaults against the nation's military and law enforcement agencies. The ongoing challenges posed by IS have prompted warnings regarding the risk of the group's resurgence, particularly from Kurdish officials in Syria.
