The head of the “Islamic State” (IS) in Iraq and Syria has been killed in a coordinated operation involving Iraqi intelligence and US-led coalition forces, as announced by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Friday.
In a statement posted on X, al-Sudani declared, “The Iraqis continue their dazzling victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism.” He confirmed that the operation, which resulted in the death of Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai—also known as Abu Khadija—was executed by the Iraqi National Intelligence Service with the support of the Joint Operations Command and International Coalition Forces.
US President Donald Trump also acknowledged the operation, stating on his social media platform, Truth Social, “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 STRENGTH!”
While both leaders refrained from providing specific details about the operation, the Associated Press reported that an airstrike in western Iraq’s Anbar province was pivotal in executing the mission. A security official disclosed that the operation took place on Thursday night, although confirmation of al-Rifai’s death was only made public the following day.
The announcement coincided with the visit of Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to Iraq, marking his first trip since the Assad regime’s downfall in December. During this visit, the officials discussed political stability and security in both nations, pledging to collaborate in the fight against the “Islamic State.”
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein further revealed that discussions included the movements of ISIS along the Syrian-Iraqi border, as well as within Syria and Iraq. He noted the establishment of an operations room involving Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, which will soon begin efforts to confront IS.
Source : DW
