ISIL Leader Killed in Joint Operation, Iraqi PM Confirms

Baghdad, Iraq — The leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has been killed, according to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. On Friday, al-Sudani announced that Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, was eliminated by Iraqi security forces with the support of the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIL.

Al-Sudani described al-Rufay’i as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.” The operation that led to his death reportedly took place via an airstrike in Anbar province and was confirmed by security sources on March 13.

This announcement coincided with a visit from Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to Baghdad. During the press conference, al-Shaibani expressed his government’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Iraq in combating the remnants of ISIL, underscoring that “security is a shared responsibility.”

In 2017, Iraq declared victory over ISIL after reclaiming territories the group had controlled since 2014. However, the group still operates sleeper cells that are capable of launching sporadic attacks. Recent fears about ISIL’s resurgence have been amplified by shifting power dynamics following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

“The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism,” al-Sudani stated on X, formerly Twitter. His remarks reflect ongoing concerns about ISIL’s potential resurgence amid changing regional dynamics.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein noted the importance of cooperation in countering the terrorist threat during discussions with al-Shaibani. “We discussed in detail the movements of ISIS, whether on the Syrian-Iraqi border, inside Syria, or inside Iraq,” Hussein added.

The kill of al-Rufay’i, who had been linked to multiple high-level operations within ISIL, marks a significant achievement for Iraqi security forces and their international allies. A security official, speaking anonymously, emphasized that the operation to target Abu Khadija involved meticulous planning and intelligence-sharing among different entities, which led to his precise elimination.

Al-Rufay’i, born in 1991, was known to have joined al-Qaeda in 2009 and was arrested in 2011. Following his escape from Tasfirat prison, he resurfaced during ISIL’s rise in 2014 and progressively ascended the ranks, ultimately becoming the security chief for Kirkuk province.

As international efforts to combat ISIL continue, the U.S. and Iraq are expected to reassess their military cooperation against the backdrop of potential challenges in the region. General Michael Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, has previously stated that ISIL is attempting to regain power and urged ongoing action to prevent any resurgence.