US Missile Strike Kills ISIS Chief of Global Operations Abu Khadijah in Iraq-Watch

The high-ranking ISIS leader, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadijah, was eliminated in a precision airstrike by US forces in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province.

March 15, 2025: US Airstrike Eliminates Top ISIS Leader Abu Khadijah

In a major counterterrorism operation, the United States, in coordination with Iraqi intelligence and security forces, has confirmed the killing of Abu Khadijah, a top leader of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS). The airstrike, conducted on March 13 in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, eliminated the Chief of Global Operations of ISIS, who was also the group’s second-in-command worldwide.

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Who Was Abu Khadijah?

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Abu Khadijah was a key strategist for ISIS, overseeing logistics, financial operations, and global terror planning. He had been sanctioned by the US government in 2023 and was regarded as one of the most dangerous terrorists still active in Iraq and Syria.

Details of the Operation

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🔹 Joint US-Iraqi Operation: The strike was executed with intelligence support from Iraqi security forces.

🔹 DNA Confirmation: Abu Khadijah’s identity was verified using DNA samples collected from a previous failed raid to capture him.

🔹 Suicide Vest and Weapons: Both Abu Khadijah and another ISIS operative were found armed and wearing suicide vests.

Statements from US and Iraqi Leadership

US CENTCOM commander General Michael Erik Kurilla declared:
“Abu Khadijah was one of the most important ISIS members in the global organization. We will continue to dismantle terrorist networks that threaten our homeland and our allies.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani described Abu Khadijah as one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world, confirming that the operation was carried out with support from the US-led coalition.

Trump Reacts: ‘Peace Through Strength’

US President Donald Trump, reacting to the airstrike, posted on Truth Social:
“Today, the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our warfighters. His miserable life was terminated.”

He concluded his post with “PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!”

ISIS Presence in Iraq and Syria

Although ISIS was territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, the group remains active, launching sporadic attacks on Iraqi and Kurdish forces. The US still maintains 2,500 troops in Iraq to support counterterrorism operations.

This latest airstrike marks a significant blow to the remnants of ISIS, reaffirming US-Iraq cooperation in eradicating global terrorism.

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#ISIS, #AbuKhadijah, #USMilitary, #CounterTerrorism, #USStrike, #Iraq, #GlobalSecurity, #DonaldTrump, #MiddleEast, #CENTCOM,