Iraq

Joint Iraqi-US Operation Kills IS No. 2 Leader

MAR 16 2025·Updated MAR 17 2025

Story

Above: A screen capture from a video shows the US-Iraqi precision airstrike that killed the Global IS second leader, Emir Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, alias "Abu Khadija," in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar on March 13, 2025. Image credit: CENTCOM/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Facts

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Friday that a precision airstrike, conducted in cooperation with Iraqi forces in the province of Al Anbar, killed Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai — alias "Abu Khadija" — the second-in-command of the so-called Islamic State (IS) globally.
US Central Command
This strike ends more than two years of investigations that included gathering intelligence during operations in the Anbar desert and from an individual in Iraqi custody, and raids of IS hideouts. Footage of the operation shows that a moving vehicle was the target.
US Central Command
RUDAW
According to the CENTCOM, Abu Khadija was the chief of global operations of the group and head of its most senior decision-making body, the Delegated Committee, being responsible for logistics and directing a significant portion of finance for IS.
US Central Command
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani claimed on X that Abu Khadija was "considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world," and US Pres. Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he was "relentless[ly] hunted down" before "his miserable life" was terminated.
Donald Trump
Mohamed Shia al-Sudani
At the strike site, US and Iraqi forces found two bodies wearing unexploded suicide vests and multiple weapons. Abu Khadija had his identity confirmed through a DNA match. On Saturday, his wife, Umm Hussein, and two other IS members were arrested in a separate joint US-Iraqi operation.
US Central Command
RUDAW
US Central Command
The airstrike was the second such operation to target IS members under the current Trump administration, following one in Somalia last month. The group remains active in Iraq and neighboring Syria, and has expanded activities to Africa, Asia and Europe.
Al Jazeera
National Review

Sources Split

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The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

The fact that a top IS leader has been neutralized in a joint US-Iraqi airstrike stresses that America can rely exclusively on such operations to fight the remnants of the IS in Iraq and Syria. US troops have spent more than a decade with boots on the ground in Syria, now it's time for them to withdraw.

Responsible Statecraft

Pro-establishment narrative

While this operation has dealt a huge blow to IS, the group is far from being destroyed for good — and US pressure on the ground is key to protect hard-earned gains and prevent IS from reconstituting. If US troops leave Syria, the group would be left unchecked and could resurge.

Critical Threats