The leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadija,” was killed in a joint operation by members of the Iraqi national intelligence service and U.S.-led coalition forces, announced Iraq’s prime minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Al-Rifai was described as one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world. U.S. President Donald Trump expressed satisfaction with the news on his social media platform, Truth Social, saying that al-Rifai’s “miserable life was terminated.”
As part of the operation, U.S. Central Command conducted an airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, which resulted in the death of al-Rifai and another ISIS operative. Al-Rifai, also known as Chief of Global Operations and the Delegated Committee Emir, was responsible for operations, logistics, and planning conducted by ISIS globally, as well as directing a significant portion of finance for the group’s global organization. The forces found both dead ISIS targets wearing unexploded “suicide vests” and carrying multiple weapons at the scene of the strike.
The U.S. and Iraqi forces were able to identify al-Rifai using DNA collected in a previous raid where he had narrowly escaped capture. General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander at CENTCOM, emphasized the importance of eliminating terrorists like al-Rifai in order to protect homeland security. He stated that the mission to dismantle organizations that threaten the U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region and beyond will continue.
President Trump tweeted his support for the military operation, praising the efforts of American warfighters in relentlessly hunting down al-Rifai. The cooperation between U.S. forces, Iraqi Intelligence, and security forces in conducting the airstrike and successfully eliminating the ISIS leader was highlighted in the statements released by the U.S. Central Command. The Trump administration’s emphasis on taking a “peace through strength” approach to dealing with terrorist threats was evident in the response to al-Rifai’s death.
The significance of al-Rifai’s role within the ISIS organization was underscored by both Iraqi and U.S. officials, who recognized him as a key figure in the global operations of the terrorist group. As the Emir of ISIS’ most senior decision-making body, al-Rifai had a major impact on the group’s activities worldwide. The successful operation to eliminate him was seen as a major blow to ISIS and a step towards enhancing regional and global security.
Overall, the death of Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, or “Abu Khadija,” marked a significant victory in the fight against terrorism. The joint operation between Iraqi and U.S.-led coalition forces demonstrated the effectiveness of international cooperation in combating extremist threats. The elimination of al-Rifai was a testament to the determination of security forces to dismantle terrorist organizations and protect the safety and security of citizens both regionally and globally.
