How Top ISIS Leader Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai Was Killed?- wna24

New Delhi: Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadija,” the head of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), was killed in an airstrike carried out by Iraqi national intelligence forces in collaboration with the U.S.-led coalition, Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Friday.

Al-Rifai, described as the “deputy caliph” of the militant group and “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world,” was targeted in an operation in Anbar province in western Iraq. According to a security official, the strike took place on Thursday night, with confirmation of his death coming the following day. Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed the details as they were not authorized to comment publicly.

Prime Minister al-Sudani praised the operation, stating, “The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism.” His statement, posted on X (formerly Twitter), reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to eliminating ISIS threats.

The announcement coincided with the visit of Syria’s top diplomat to Iraq, where discussions centered on counterterrorism efforts. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein emphasized the shared challenges facing Iraq and Syria, particularly in combating ISIS, and highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen security cooperation.

Hussein also referred to a newly established operations room involving Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon, which aims to coordinate counter-ISIS measures and is expected to commence operations soon.

While Iraq and Syria have a complex relationship due to their political histories, Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani focused on their deep-rooted ties, stating, “Baghdad and Damascus have been the capitals of the Arab and Islamic world, sharing knowledge, culture, and economy.” He underscored that strengthening bilateral cooperation would contribute to regional stability.

The operation to eliminate al-Rifai comes amid concerns about a possible resurgence of ISIS following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December. Although Syria’s new rulers—led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—have pursued ISIS remnants, fears persist that instability could allow the group to regain a foothold.

The U.S. and Iraq had previously announced an agreement to wind down the American-led coalition’s military mission in Iraq by September 2025, with U.S. forces set to withdraw from some bases after a two-decade-long presence. Iraqi leaders initially asserted that ISIS no longer posed a significant threat and that Washington’s assistance was no longer necessary.

However, Assad’s ouster has led to reassessments, particularly among Iraq’s Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shiite, Iran-aligned political factions that backed al-Sudani’s government.