In a significant development in the ongoing battle against terrorism in the Middle East, Iraqi security forces, in coordination with the US-led coalition, have successfully eliminated one of the most dangerous leaders of the Islamic State (ISIS). The man responsible for overseeing ISIS operations globally, Abdallah Maki Musleh al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in an airstrike carried out in Anbar province, western Iraq, on March 13, 2025. His death is a critical blow to ISIS, a terrorist group that has caused widespread devastation across Iraq and Syria.
Who Was Abu Khadija?
Abu Khadija held a prominent role in ISIS, serving as the group's deputy caliph and Chief of Global Operations. Described as one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and globally, he was second-in-command within the organization. His responsibilities included overseeing ISIS's logistics, financial management, and planning of operations worldwide. Despite ISIS losing control of large territories in Iraq and Syria by 2017 and 2019, the remnants of the group continue to pose a significant security threat in the region.
Key Details About Abu Khadija:
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Full Name: Abdallah Maki Musleh al-Rifai
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Aliases: Abu Khadija
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Role in ISIS: Deputy caliph and Chief of Global Operations
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Areas of Responsibility: Oversaw logistics, financial operations, and planning of global attack
The Operation: A Coordinated Strike
The airstrike that killed Abu Khadija took place on March 13, 2025, in Anbar province, located in western Iraq. The operation was a coordinated effort involving Iraqi intelligence, the Iraqi National Intelligence Service (INIS), and the US-led coalition forces.
Details of the Operation:
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Location: Anbar Province, Western Iraq
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Date: March 13, 2025 (with the operation occurring on Thursday night, and confirmation of his death on Friday)
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Method: Airstrike
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Cooperation: US forces, Iraqi intelligence, and Kurdish Regional Government
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Weapons: Both Abu Khadija and another ISIS operative were found armed with multiple weapons and wearing unexploded suicide vests.
The identity of Abu Khadija was confirmed through DNA samples taken from a previous raid in which he had narrowly escaped capture. His death is being hailed as a major victory in the fight against ISIS, which has continued to operate through sleeper cells and sporadic attacks even after its territorial defeat in Iraq (2017) and Syria (2019).
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 and Iraqi Officials React
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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani described Abu Khadija as "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world," acknowledging the significance of the operation. He emphasized Iraq’s continued success in defeating terrorist forces.
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US President Donald Trump confirmed the death, celebrating it as the result of relentless efforts by US forces in coordination with the Iraqi government and Kurdish Regional Government. He expressed pride in the successful operation, saying, "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!" on his Truth Social platform.
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General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), also commended the operation, stating that it marked a critical step in dismantling ISIS’s global operations.
يواصل العراقيون انتصاراتهم المبهرة على قوى الظلام والإرهاب، حيث تمكن أبطال جهاز المخابرات الوطني العراقي، بإسناد وتنسيق من قيادة العمليات المشتركة وقوات التحالف الدولي، من قتل الإرهابي عبد الله مكي مصلح الرفيعي المكنى (أبو خديجة) الذي يشغل منصب ما يسمّى (نائب الخليفة وهو الذي…— محمد شياع السوداني (@mohamedshia) March 14, 2025
What the Operation Means for the Global Fight Against Terrorism
The successful elimination of Abu Khadija is seen as a significant milestone in the broader campaign against ISIS, but it does not mark the end of the group’s threat. Despite its territorial losses, ISIS remains a threat, particularly in remote areas of Iraq and Syria, where sleeper cells continue to launch sporadic attacks. This ongoing threat is highlighted by the need for continued counterterrorism efforts.
Key Global Reactions:
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Iraq’s National Intelligence Service (INIS), alongside US forces, has been at the forefront of efforts to dismantle ISIS remnants across Iraq.
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The US-led coalition, with approximately 2,500 US troops still stationed in Iraq, continues to support Iraqi forces in the fight against terrorism.
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Iraqi and Syrian officials have committed to strengthening cooperation in combating ISIS, particularly along the Syria-Iraq border.
Regional Cooperation: Iraq and Syria Strengthen Ties
The timing of Abu Khadija’s death coincided with a visit by Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani to Iraq, marking the first such visit since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December. During this visit, Iraq and Syria pledged to enhance cooperation in the fight against ISIS and ensure the stability of the region.
Points Discussed During the Visit:
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Cooperation on Security: Both countries agreed on the importance of working together to combat ISIS, particularly along the Syria-Iraq border.
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Formation of a Joint Operations Room: A collaborative operations room between Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon will soon begin work to confront ISIS cells in the region.
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Political Stability: The discussions also touched on the political stability of both nations, particularly in light of the evolving security situation in Syria after the fall of Assad.
ISIS: From Territory to Terror Cells
Despite the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2017 in Iraq and 2019 in Syria, the group has not been fully eradicated. ISIS fighters, now mostly operating in small, decentralized cells, continue to pose a threat. These cells remain active, particularly in the more remote and insecure areas of both countries.
ISIS’s Continued Presence:
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ISIS sleeper cells continue to launch sporadic attacks on Iraqi security forces and civilian targets.
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In Syria, the ongoing instability since Assad's fall has created an environment in which ISIS cells can operate with greater freedom.
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The US and Iraq's decision to wind down the US military mission in Iraq by 2025 has raised concerns about the future of the region’s counterterrorism efforts, with some fearing that ISIS could exploit any security vacuum.
What’s Next for Iraq and Syria?
The death of Abu Khadija represents a significant moment in the fight against ISIS, but the group's remnants remain a persistent challenge. Iraq and Syria will need to continue their cooperation and work closely with international partners to ensure the long-term defeat of ISIS and the restoration of stability in the region.
Ongoing Efforts:
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Strengthening Regional Cooperation: The partnership between Iraq and Syria, along with other regional allies, will be vital in preventing the resurgence of ISIS.
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Continued Military Operations: Both countries will likely continue to carry out joint military operations, with support from the US-led coalition, to dismantle ISIS cells.
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Focus on Border Security: The newly formed operations room between regional countries will work to monitor and control movements along the Syria-Iraq border, a key area for ISIS operations.
The killing of Abu Khadija is a major victory in the fight against ISIS, but the terrorist group remains a threat due to its decentralized cells and continued operations in Iraq and Syria. As Iraq and Syria strengthen their cooperation, the US-led coalition’s support remains crucial in ensuring ISIS’s complete eradication. With the evolving political landscape and the ongoing security challenges, the fight against ISIS is far from over, but this operation represents a crucial step forward in defeating one of the world’s most dangerous terror organizations.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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