Latest news with #AbuKhadijah
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.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Islamic State leader dies in U.S. airstrike in Iraq
March 15 (UPI) -- American and Iraqi military forces killed a senior Islamic State leader using an airstrike, U.S. Central Command confirmed in a post on social media. Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, who was better known as Abu Khadijah, died in Iraq's Al Anbar Province in the western part of the country following the "precision airstrike" earlier in the week, CENTCOM said on X. American and Iraqi forces later confirmed al-Rifai's identity using DNA analysis. One other Islamic State operative was killed during the operation. Both men were wearing explosive vests and had multiple weapons with them at the time. "Abu Khadijah was one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organization. We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and U.S., allied and partner personnel in the region and beyond," CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said in the post on X. The U.S. military referred to al-Rifai as the Islamic State's "#2 leader" and "the Emir of ISIS' most senior decision-making body. American officials said al-Rifai was active in Iraq and Syria and served as the Chief of Global Operations for the Islamic State. "Abu Khadijah maintained responsibility for operations, logistics, and planning conducted by ISIS globally, and directs a significant portion of finance for the group's global organization," CENTCOM said on X President Donald Trump rejoiced on social media. "His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH," Trump said on his Truth social media platform. U.S. Central Command is one of the Defense Department's 1 unified combatant commands. In late January, CENTCOM carried out an airstrike that killed a senior operative in an al-Qaida-affiliated group in northwest Syria.
Axios
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
ISIS second-in-command killed in U.S. airstrike with Iraqi aid
U.S. forces with help from Iraqi intelligence and security killed the No. 2 global ISIS leader, "one of the most important" of the entire organization, per U.S. Central Command. The big picture: Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadijah, oversaw global operations and logistics for the extremist group and directed "a significant portion" of its global financing, Central Command said Friday in an X post. Zoom in: Khadijah was killed in a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on Thursday along with another ISIS operative. "After the strike, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces moved to the strike site and found both dead ISIS terrorists," Central Command said. "Both terrorists were wearing unexploded 'suicide vests' and had multiple weapons." Khadijah was identified through DNA obtained when he "narrowly escaped" an earlier raid, per CENTCOM. What they're saying: "Abu Khadijah was one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organization," Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander, said. "We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and U.S., allied and partner personnel in the region and beyond." President Trump declared for "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH" on Truth Social Friday, praising U.S. forces as "intrepid warfighters." More from Axios: U.S. conducts strikes against ISIS operatives in Somalia ISIS, refugees, populism: How Syria changed everything
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump says ISIS chief killed in Iraq
President Trump on Friday announced that ISIS's second in command was killed in Iraq this week, touting it as an example of his administration's 'peace through strength' military philosophy. 'He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters,' the president wrote on Truth Social Friday evening. 'His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!' U.S. Central Command confirmed the March 13 operation on Friday. According to officials, U.S. forces in coordination with Iraqi forces conducted a precision airstrike in the Al Anbar province and killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as 'Abu Khadijah.' 'Abu Khadijah was one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organization,' said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, in a statement. 'We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and U.S., allied and partner personnel in the region and beyond.' One other ISIS operative was killed in the strike, per U.S. officials. The strike was initially announced by Iraqi officials earlier on Friday. 'The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism,' Iraq's Prime Minister Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement posted on the social platform X. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also praised the strike on Friday. 'Well done,' he wrote on X. U.S. officials stated that it found Khadijah and the other ISIS operative dead, wearing 'suicide vests,' and identified the former via DNA testing. This is the second strike that has targeted ISIS officials since Trump returned to the White House. In early February, the president ordered a precision strike in Somalia that U.S. officials say killed a senior ISIS 'planner.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
15-03-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump says ISIS chief killed in Iraq
President Trump on Friday announced that ISIS's second in command was killed in Iraq this week, touting it as an example of his administration's 'peace through strength' military philosophy. 'He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters,' the president wrote on Truth Social Friday evening. 'His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!' U.S. Central Command confirmed the March 13 operation on Friday. According to officials, U.S. forces in coordination with Iraqi forces conducted a precision airstrike in the Al Anbar province and killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as 'Abu Khadijah.' 'Abu Khadijah was one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organization,' said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, in a statement. 'We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and U.S., allied and partner personnel in the region and beyond.' One other ISIS operative was killed in the strike, per U.S. officials. The strike was initially announced by Iraqi officials earlier on Friday. 'The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism,' Iraq's Prime Minister Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said in a statement posted on the social platform X. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also praised the strike on Friday. 'Well done,' he wrote on X. U.S. officials stated that it found Khadijah and the other ISIS operative dead, wearing 'suicide vests,' and identified the former via DNA testing. This is the second strike that has targeted ISIS officials since Trump returned to the White House. In early February, the president ordered a precision strike in Somalia that U.S. officials say killed a senior ISIS 'planner.'
