Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, referred to as 'Abu Khadija,' has been confirmed dead following a U.S.-Iraqi military operation.
Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, recognized as a high-ranking figure in the Islamic State (ISIS), has been killed during a military operation in Iraq, as reported by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Friday.
Al-Rifai, who went by the alias 'Abu Khadija,' was allegedly killed in a joint operation involving the Iraqi national intelligence agency and U.S.-led coalition forces.
Prime Minister al-Sudani labeled al-Rifai as one of the most perilous terrorists active in both Iraq and worldwide.
U.S. President
Donald Trump acknowledged the operation through a post on his social media, describing al-Rifai’s existence as 'miserable' and asserting that he was 'relentlessly pursued by our brave warfighters.' Trump's statement also confirmed that the operation led to the death of another ISIS member.
According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the airstrike that resulted in al-Rifai’s death occurred in Al Anbar Province, Iraq.
CENTCOM referred to al-Rifai as the 'Global ISIS #2 leader' and outlined his responsibilities, which included overseeing operations, logistics, and financial control within the global ISIS network.
After the airstrike, U.S. and Iraqi military forces arrived at the location and found the deceased ISIS operatives equipped with unexploded suicide vests, suggesting they were prepared for imminent attacks.
The identification of al-Rifai was facilitated by DNA evidence gathered during a previous operation in which he had escaped capture.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM, highlighted al-Rifai's significance within ISIS, noting his senior position in the organization’s decision-making processes.
He reiterated the resolve of U.S. and allied forces to eliminate threats from terrorist organizations in the region and beyond.