The death of Islamic State's senior decision-maker marks a significant blow to the group's structure, but concerns over its resurgence remain amid a resurgence of sleeper cells in the region.**
High-Ranking Islamic State Leader Neutralized in Coordinated Strike**
High-Ranking Islamic State Leader Neutralized in Coordinated Strike**
US and Iraqi forces collaborate to eliminate key terrorist figure Abu Khadijah, signaling a continued effort to dismantle IS operations.**
The leader of the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, known as Abu Khadijah, has been killed in a joint operation involving Iraqi national intelligence and US-led coalition forces. This was confirmed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who described Rifai as one of the most dangerous terrorists globally.
US President Donald Trump commended the precision of the operation, asserting that Rifai was “relentlessly hunted down” by courageous military personnel. The US Central Command (Centcom) reported that a targeted airstrike in Iraq's Al Anbar province resulted in the death of this prominent IS member on Thursday.
Abu Khadijah was at the helm of IS's most crucial decision-making processes, overseeing planning, logistics, and operations, both locally and internationally. His role extended to the financial operations of the group's global agenda. Trump highlighted the coordinated efforts that led to capturing Rifai, who perished alongside another IS operative. Both were reportedly found wearing unexploded suicide vests and armed with multiple weapons.
Centcom indicated that investigators identified Rifai through a DNA match obtained during a previous incident where he narrowly evaded capture. Gen Michael Erik Kurilla emphasized the significance of eliminating Rifai from the global IS narrative and reiterated the ongoing commitment to act against threats to both the US and its allies.
Despite Iraq declaring victory over IS in December 2017, with the group losing its territorial stronghold by 2019, the persistent presence of militants and sleeper cells poses ongoing risks, with sporadic attacks reported against security forces within the area. In light of this, local leaders in Syria have warned that the threat of IS's resurgence has increased dramatically, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance and proactive measures.
US President Donald Trump commended the precision of the operation, asserting that Rifai was “relentlessly hunted down” by courageous military personnel. The US Central Command (Centcom) reported that a targeted airstrike in Iraq's Al Anbar province resulted in the death of this prominent IS member on Thursday.
Abu Khadijah was at the helm of IS's most crucial decision-making processes, overseeing planning, logistics, and operations, both locally and internationally. His role extended to the financial operations of the group's global agenda. Trump highlighted the coordinated efforts that led to capturing Rifai, who perished alongside another IS operative. Both were reportedly found wearing unexploded suicide vests and armed with multiple weapons.
Centcom indicated that investigators identified Rifai through a DNA match obtained during a previous incident where he narrowly evaded capture. Gen Michael Erik Kurilla emphasized the significance of eliminating Rifai from the global IS narrative and reiterated the ongoing commitment to act against threats to both the US and its allies.
Despite Iraq declaring victory over IS in December 2017, with the group losing its territorial stronghold by 2019, the persistent presence of militants and sleeper cells poses ongoing risks, with sporadic attacks reported against security forces within the area. In light of this, local leaders in Syria have warned that the threat of IS's resurgence has increased dramatically, underscoring the need for continuous vigilance and proactive measures.
