WASHINGTON: The head of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been killed in an airstrike in western Iraq, in a joint operation conducted by Iraqi intelligence and US-led coalition forces, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said.
Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadija,” was described by the Iraqi premier as the “deputy caliph” of ISIS and “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.”
Al-Sudani, in a statement posted on social media platform X, hailed the operation as another success in Iraq’s fight against extremism.
“The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism,” he said.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the killing of Abu Khadija in an airstrike in Anbar province on Thursday night, stating that he was the “Global ISIS #2 leader, Chief of Global Operations and the Delegated Committee Emir.”
Another ISIS operative was also killed in the strike, CENTCOM said in a statement.
According to the US military, both individuals were found dead at the site of the strike, wearing unexploded suicide vests and carrying multiple weapons.
CENTCOM further revealed that Abu Khadija’s identity was confirmed through DNA matching with samples collected in a previous raid where he had narrowly escaped.
CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Chief of Global Operations Who Also Served as ISIS #2
On March 13, U.S. Central Command forces, in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader,… pic.twitter.com/rWeEoUY7Lw
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2025
US President Donald Trump lauded the operation in a post on his Truth Social platform, writing: “Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!”
ISIS threat despite leadership losses
The elimination of Abu Khadija comes as ISIS continues to pose a security threat in Iraq and Syria, despite losing its territorial stronghold nearly six years ago.
While no longer controlling large cities, the group has evolved into a decentralised network, orchestrating attacks and supporting extremist cells across multiple countries.
CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Chief of Global Operations Who Also Served as ISIS #2
On March 13, U.S. Central Command forces, in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader,… pic.twitter.com/rWeEoUY7Lw
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2025
Earlier this year, ISIS claimed responsibility for a devastating attack on a shopping mall in Moscow, which resulted in at least 150 deaths and over 500 injuries.
US officials have expressed concern that instability in Syria, particularly following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s government, could provide ISIS with an opportunity to regain influence.
Iraq-Syria cooperation against ISIS
The announcement of Abu Khadija’s death coincided with the visit of Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to Baghdad, marking the first official visit by a top Syrian diplomat to Iraq since Assad’s fall.
Speaking at a joint press conference, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein emphasised the importance of bilateral efforts to counter ISIS.
“There are common challenges facing Syrian and Iraqi society, and especially the terrorists of IS,” he said.
Hussein also highlighted the formation of a regional operations room, involving Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, to combat ISIS movements in the region.
The joint security initiative, established during a recent meeting in Amman, is expected to begin operations soon.
