Senior Islamic State leader killed in Iraq, Trump says his ‘miserable life was terminated’

The leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadija,” has been killed in an operation conducted by members of the Iraqi national intelligence service and U.S.-led coalition forces, according to Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

In a statement, Prime Minister al-Sudani described al-Rifai as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.” The operation to eliminate al-Rifai was a joint effort between Iraqi and U.S. forces, demonstrating the strong partnership between the two nations in the fight against terrorism.

U.S. President Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to react to the news of al-Rifai’s death. He praised the efforts of the warfighters who relentlessly hunted down the ISIS leader and terminated his “miserable life.” President Trump emphasized the importance of peace through strength in dealing with terrorist threats.

The operation that led to al-Rifai’s demise took place in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, where a U.S. airstrike targeted the ISIS leader along with another operative. The strike was a significant blow to ISIS, as al-Rifai held a key position within the organization, overseeing operations, logistics, and planning on a global scale.

Following the airstrike, U.S. and Iraqi forces located the bodies of the two ISIS operatives, both wearing unexploded suicide vests and armed with multiple weapons. The successful operation was a testament to the close coordination between U.S. and Iraqi intelligence and security forces in the fight against terrorism.

Abu Khadija had narrowly escaped capture in a previous raid, but his luck ran out this time as DNA evidence collected from the raid was used to confirm his identity. General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), emphasized the importance of continuing to target terrorists like al-Rifai to safeguard the homeland and ensure the safety of U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region and beyond.

The elimination of al-Rifai is a significant victory in the ongoing battle against ISIS and other terrorist organizations. The cooperation between U.S. and Iraqi forces in targeting high-value targets like al-Rifai demonstrates the effectiveness of joint efforts in combatting extremism and promoting peace and stability in the region.