Latest news with #AbdullahMakkiMuslihal-Rafiei
Rudaw Net
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi strike kills suspected ISIS members in Salahaddin
Also in Iraq Numerous Anfal victims believed to be buried in Kirkuk cemetery Graves of Anfal victims discovered in Kirkuk cemetery: Activists Hassan Turan resigns as Iraqi Turkmen Front leader Kurdish Peshmerga destroy suspected ISIS hideouts in Diyala A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Several suspected Islamic State (ISIS) members were killed in an Iraqi airstrike on their hideout in rural Salahaddin province, the army said on Sunday, as Baghdad continues to clamp down on jihadist remnants. Iraq's air force 'carried out an airstrike using F-16 fighter jets targeting the two hideouts, killing the ISIS terrorist gang members inside, and destroying equipment, logistical materials, and communication devices,' the army's Security Media Cell said in a statement. The statement did not disclose the exact number of casualties. Iraq carries out frequent airstrikes on suspected ISIS hideouts to pursue remnants of the group, particularly within areas of Diyala, Salahaddin, Kirkuk, and Nineveh provinces that are disputed between Erbil and Baghdad and a security vacuum exists, as well as in the Anbar desert that borders Syria. Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga are coordinating to combat the group in the disputed areas. Another Iraqi airstrike in mid-March in the Anbar desert killed Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rafiei, ISIS's second-in-command globally and its top man in Iraq and Syria. In late February, the head of Iraq's Security Media Cell told Rudaw that Iraqi security forces have largely eradicated ISIS from the country, with only a few hundred militants remaining in remote areas. The group was declared territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017, three years after it seized control of swathes of territory in the north and centre of the country.
Shafaq News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's war on ISIS: 50 killed in Q1 2025
Shafaq News/ Iraqi security forces conducted dozens of joint operations against ISIS in the first quarter of 2025, killing 50 militants and arresting more than 40 others. According to Shafaq News data, based on sources and official statements, the three-month period witnessed intensive operations spanning nine provinces against the group's active networks in desert and mountainous areas, particularly in the country's north and west. The Joint Operations Command confirmed at least 25 coordinated raids. Kirkuk saw the highest number of operations, followed by Saladin, Al-Anbar, Diyala, Baghdad, Maysan, Nineveh, and the Kurdistan Region province of Al-Sulaymaniyah. The raids, some based on intelligence gathered in cooperation with the Global Coalition, targeted ISIS safehouses, weapons depots, and field commanders. Some of the group's most senior figures were successfully eliminated. On March 14, Iraqi intelligence forces, backed by Coalition air assets, killed Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rafiei, also known as Abu Khadijah, who was described by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani as 'one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.' According to Al-Sudani, the slain leader served as ISIS's so-called 'Deputy Caliph' and oversaw operations in both Iraq and Syria. Other prominent figures killed during the quarter include Maher Hamad Salbi (Abu Obaida), the 'Deputy Governor' of Kirkuk; Daham Mohammed al-Alawi (Abu Saeed al-Dandoushi), the 'Governor' of Kirkuk; Shahadha Alawi Saleh (Abu Issa), commander of the Hamrin sector; Basim Rabei Al-Battoush, a key operative; Adnan Khalil Jadan (Haji Awad), a senior commander believed responsible for attacks in western Iraq; and Layla Al-Hamdani (Umm Al-Qeera), wife and mother to ISIS members, responsible for inciting civil unrest. In addition to the killings, security services arrested dozens of ISIS operatives, many holding mid- to high-level positions. On March 26, the Military Intelligence Directorate announced the arrest of seven suspected militants across Al-Anbar, Kirkuk, and Nineveh. According to the Directorate, the suspects have been identified as individuals linked to previous attacks on Iraqi forces. The campaign was carried out jointly by Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service, federal intelligence units, the Kurdistan Region's Asayish forces, and Coalition partners.
Rudaw Net
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi strike kills two ISIS suspects in Anbar
Also in Iraq Kurdish officials slam unequal police recruitment in Kirkuk KRG denies Development Road deal with Baghdad Gorran's two factions clash over planned party congress Sadr to sit out 2025 legislative ballot over prevalent 'corruption': Statement A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - At least two suspected Islamic State (ISIS) militants were killed in an Iraqi strike on their hideout in the vast western Anbar desert, the army said on Friday. Iraq's air force 'carried out a successful airstrike using F-16 aircraft, which resulted in the killing of two ISIS terrorist gang members according to initial information. The strike was followed by successive explosions inside the hideout from the destruction of weapons, ammunition, equipment, and logistical materials inside,' the army's Security Media Cell said in a statement. The army said that the Anbar strike was their 'own way' of congratulating the Iraqi people on the upcoming Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. 'This congratulations consisted of continuing to pursue and kill the remaining ISIS terrorist gang members,' it said. Iraq carries out frequent airstrikes on suspected ISIS hideouts to pursue remnants of the group, particularly within areas of Diyala, Salahaddin, Kirkuk, and Nineveh provinces that are disputed between Erbil and Baghdad and a security vacuum exists, as well as in the Anbar desert that borders Syria. Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga are coordinating to combat the group in the disputed areas. Two weeks ago, another airstrike in Anbar province killed Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rafiei, ISIS's second-in-command globally and its top man in Iraq and Syria. In late February, the head of Iraq's Security Media Cell told Rudaw that Iraqi security forces have largely eradicated ISIS from the country, with only a few hundred militants remaining in remote areas. The group was declared territorially defeated in Iraq in 2017, three years after it seized control of swathes of territory in the north and centre of the country.
Rudaw Net
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi PM announces killing of senior ISIS leader
Also in Iraq Kurdish security council slams Sudani for omitting credit in anti-ISIS op Syrian FM visits Baghdad 'Turning into a desert': A Dhi Qar river is drying up UNAMI expresses concern over attacks on Syrian nationals in Iraq A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on Friday announced the killing of senior Islamic State (ISIS) leader Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rafiei, "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world,' in an operation carried out with the support of the United States-led global coalition. Iraqi intelligence, with the support of the global coalition, "was able to kill the terrorist Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rafiei, known as Abu Khadija, who holds the position of so-called deputy caliph and who holds the position of the so-called governor of Iraq and Syria,' Sudani said on X. He did not reveal where or when the operation took place. Sudani said that Rafiei also held other positions within the extremist group and was "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world." The United States in 2023 named Rafiei a Specially Designated Global Terrorist as an ISIS leader. Iraq's Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein issued a stark warning on Sunday about the growing threat posed by ISIS, saying it poses an increasing danger to Iraq, Jordan, and Syria. Speaking at a press conference following a summit in Amman, Hussein stressed the need for a joint international and regional effort to counter the growing risk posed by ISIS. ISIS seized control of swathes of territory in northern and central Iraq in 2014. Their so-called caliphate was brought to an end in 2017, but the group continues to pose a security threat particularly in the disputed territories that stretch across several provinces including Diyala, Salahaddin, Kirkuk, and Nineveh, as well as across the border in Syria.
