Latest news with #Rafiei
Rudaw Net
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
How was ISIS' second-in-command killed in Iraq?
Also in Iraq Kirkuk land restoration on hold pending guidelines for new law Man arrested in Baghdad for inciting violence outside Syrian embassy Iraq electricity ministry to visit Turkmenistan to initiate gas imports Kurdish security council slams Sudani for omitting credit in anti-ISIS op A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Islamic State's (ISIS) second-in-command globally and the group's top man in Iraq and Syria was killed on Friday in an operation that was the culmination of two years of investigations and raids by Iraqi, Kurdish, and international forces. Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rafiei, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed by a United States airstrike in Anbar province. He was chief of global operations and emir of a top ISIS committee. 'As the Emir of ISIS' most senior decision-making body, 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,' the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement. Rafiei was a target for more than two years 'and in the past six months, the noose has tightened around this terrorist,' the Iraqi military's Joint Operations Command said in a statement. Intelligence about him was gathered during operations in the Anbar desert, raids of ISIS hideouts across the country, and from a person close to Rafiei who was captured by the Kurdistan Region Security Council and handed over to Iraqi forces. His location was determined and he was killed at 6:30 Friday evening in a 'successful airstrike in the Anbar desert,' the Joint Operations Command said. Video released by CENTCOM shows the moment of the airstrike on a moving vehicle. Iraqi and American forces moved into the site of the airstrike and found the bodies of Rafiei and a second ISIS member, both wearing unexploded suicide vests and in possession of weapons, according to CENTCOM. Iraqi forces said they also arrested seven ISIS suspects, including two women, accused of providing Rafiei with supplies. Based on intelligence gathered at the scene, five other wanted individuals were arrested in Erbil. Rafiei was identified by matching his DNA with a sample collected from an earlier raid when he had escaped, CENTCOM said. The United States in 2023 named Rafiei a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Iraq's Joint Operations Command described him as 'one of the most important and dangerous terrorist elements in Iraq and the entire region.' US President Donald Trump commented on the operation, saying on his Truth Social platform that Rafiei was 'relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters.' 'His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government,' Trump said. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, when he first announced the operation on Friday, did not mention the Kurdish involvement, which drew the ire of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, who slammed Sudani and said their exclusion 'is not a good indication for the future of cooperation between the regional and federal institutions.' Deputy commander of Iraq's Joint Operations Command Qais al-Muhammadawi did thank 'the heroes of the Kurdistan Region (Asayish)' for their contribution by handing over another ISIS member close to Rafiei. Iraq's National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji also commended the operation, thanking the Kurdistan Region Security Council and the US-led coalition for their cooperation. Erbil and Baghdad have coordinated many anti-ISIS operations in recent years. 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. On Sunday, Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein issued a stark warning about the growing threat posed by ISIS, saying it poses an increasing danger to Iraq, Jordan, and Syria.
Shafaq News
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Top ISIS figure killed: Kurdistan, Iraq clash over credit
Shafaq News/ The Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) slammed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Friday for failing to credit their pivotal role in the killing of senior ISIS leader Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rafiei, also known as Abu Khadijah. The KRSC pointed out that Rafiei's death came after "several years of investigation and relying on information from the Kurdistan Region Security Council, in coordination with the coalition and later with Iraqi federal forces." The council made it clear, saying, 'Our forces were integral to this operation. Without our efforts, this significant achievement would not have been possible.' Earlier today, al-Sudani announced that Iraqi intelligence, with coalition support, had carried out the operation targeting Rafiei. In a post on X, al-Sudani labeled Rafiei 'one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world,' but gave no specifics on when or where the operation took place. He added, 'This operation is a key victory in the fight against terrorism.' The KRSC was quick to respond, expressing frustration over the lack of recognition. "This oversight could jeopardize future cooperation between regional and federal security forces," they said. "We have been essential in the fight against ISIS, and we expect our contributions to be acknowledged." Meanwhile, the Joint Operations Command provided new details about the remaining ISIS leadership in Iraq, highlighting the close coordination with the Asayish and the KRSC in hunting down the remnants of the terrorist group. During a joint press conference with intelligence and counterterrorism agencies, Lieutenant General Qais al-Mohamadi, commander of the Joint Operations Command, underscored the success of recent operations. "This year has seen extraordinary cooperation with our Kurdish counterparts. Their intelligence-sharing has been critical in dismantling ISIS in the region," he said. Al-Mohamadi also confirmed that the previous day's operation led to the elimination of Abdullah Maki, also known as Abu Khadijah, a senior figure in ISIS. "Abu Khadijah is one of the most wanted and dangerous terrorist leaders," he stated, adding that his death is a major blow to the group's operations in both Iraq and Syria. The commander explained that while previous operations last year had taken out several key terrorist figures, Abu Khadijah had evaded capture until now. "He slipped through our grasp before, but our intelligence team finally tracked down his associates in Kirkuk, leading to this successful strike," al-Mohamadi said. This operation highlights the ongoing collaboration between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in the battle against ISIS, with both sides playing a crucial role in dismantling the terrorist group's remaining networks. As al-Mohamadi concluded, "We will continue our joint efforts to ensure ISIS is fully eradicated from Iraq."
Rudaw Net
14-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurdish security council slams Sudani for omitting credit in anti-ISIS op
Also in Iraq Syrian FM visits Baghdad Iraqi PM announces killing of senior ISIS leader '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 - The Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) said on Friday that it played a key role in killing senior Islamic State (ISIS) leader Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rafiei, and slammed Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani for failing to credit them. Rafiei was killed "after several years of investigation and relying on information from the Kurdistan Region Security Council, in coordination with the coalition and later with Iraqi federal forces," the KRSC said. Sudani had announced earlier in the day that Iraqi intelligence, with the support of the United States-led global coalition against ISIS, carried out an operation targeting Rafiei, aka Abu Khadija. He did not reveal where and when the operation took place. The KRSC criticized Sudani for failing to credit the Kurdish forces. "This oversight is not a good indication for the future of cooperation between the regional and federal institutions," the KRSC warned. "The institutions affiliated with the Kurdistan Region Security Council have played an influential role in confronting the threat of terrorists in this region and will continue to effectively perform this duty. It would be better for the federal government to create a more favorable environment for cooperation and coordination for the sake of maintaining peace and stability throughout Iraq," it added. Erbil and Baghdad have coordinated in many anti-ISIS operations in the past. Sudani said that Rafiei 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. 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.
