US confirms death of ISIS leader in joint Iraq operation
The US President Donald Trump announced the death of one of the leaders of the Islamic State in Iraq. The Iraqi authorities also confirmed this information.
What do you need to know?
- Slain leader: Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufaji, known as Abu Khadija, was killed in an operation by Iraqi security forces supported by the international coalition led by the US.
- International cooperation: As President Trump highlighted, the operation was coordinated with the Iraqi and regional Kurdish governments.
- Future of the mission: The US plans to end the international mission against IS in Iraq by September 2025, which means the withdrawal of American troops from some bases.
What were the circumstances of the ISIS leader's death?
The US President Donald Trump reported on the Truth Social platform about the death of the fugitive leader of the Islamic State in Iraq.
"Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He 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. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!" – Trump wrote. The Iraqi authorities had previously announced the death of Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufaji, known as Abu Khadija.
What does this mean for the future of the fight against ISIS?
Al-Rufaji was the deputy caliph Abu Hafs al-Hashemi al-Qurashi and led the group's activities in Iraq and Syria. His death is a significant blow to the Islamic State, which has been trying to rebuild its structures for over a decade after losing control over large areas of Syria and Iraq. The American army warned in July 2024 that the group "is trying to rebuild after several years of reduced activity".
What are the US's plans regarding presence in Iraq?
The US has announced the end of the international mission against IS in Iraq by September 2025. This means the withdrawal of American troops from some bases after more than 20 years of presence in the country. Nevertheless, IS is still active in Syria, where the group became active after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. The new authorities in Damascus, although associated with Islamist militias, declare a fight against the Islamic State.
