A senior Islamic State (IS) leader, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifa, also known as Abu Khadija, has been killed in a joint operation conducted by Iraqi national intelligence forces and the U.S.-led coalition, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced.
The operation took place in Iraq’s western Al Anbar province and was confirmed by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which released footage of the strike. Al-Rifa was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and globally, leading IS’s most senior decision-making body and overseeing operations, logistics, and global financial networks.
According to CENTCOM, al-Rifa was located and eliminated alongside another IS operative. Both were found wearing unexploded suicide vests and carrying multiple weapons. Intelligence officials were able to confirm his identity through DNA analysis, using samples collected from a previous raid in which he narrowly escaped capture.
“Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters. His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH… pic.twitter.com/gB68jMpd64
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) March 15, 2025
U.S. President Donald Trump praised the mission, calling it a testament to the relentless pursuit of global security. Posting on Truth Social, he stated, “His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!”
General Michael Erik Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, also emphasized the significance of the strike, saying, “Abu Khadija was one of the most important IS members in the entire global organization. We will continue to eliminate terrorists and dismantle organizations that threaten the U.S. and our allies.”
While Iraq declared the defeat of IS in December 2017, and the group lost its last stronghold in 2019, sleeper cells remain active. Militants continue to carry out attacks on Iraqi army and police forces, underscoring the persistent threat IS poses.
The successful elimination of al-Rifa is a significant blow to IS’s leadership, disrupting its operational and financial networks. However, experts caution that IS remains resilient, with factions continuing to operate across Iraq, Syria, and beyond.
The U.S. and Iraqi governments have reaffirmed their commitment to counterterrorism efforts, vowing to maintain pressure on IS remnants. Intelligence officials warn that as long as IS retains the ability to regroup and radicalize new members, the threat will not be fully eradicated.
The strike marks a critical win for coalition forces, but the fight against IS is far from over. Both Iraqi and U.S. officials continue to stress the importance of vigilance, intelligence-sharing, and military cooperation to prevent IS from regaining strength.
