U.S. strike eliminates ISIS second-in-command in Iraq
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Saturday the killing of the second-in-command of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq, a figure the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs described as one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.
Who was Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai?
Born in 1991, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, known as “Abu Khadija”, joined extremist groups in his teenage years. He initially became part of the Islamic State of Iraq, the predecessor of ISIS, according to al-Hurra.
Due to his growing militant activity, he was arrested by Iraqi forces and imprisoned in Tasfirat Prison in al-Rusafa. However, in 2012, he escaped during an ISIS-led attack on the facility.
Following his escape, Abu Khadija rejoined ISIS, quickly climbing the ranks. He held multiple key positions, including, Senior figure in Diwan al-Jund (ISIS’s equivalent of a Ministry of Defense), Emir of the Military Police in the al-Qadisiyah Division (2014).
Later, he was Deputy Governor of Diyala, before being appointed ISIS’s Governor of Diyala after his predecessor was killed.
By early 2021, he had risen to become ISIS’s Governor of Iraq, succeeding Abu Yasser al-Issawi, who was killed in an airstrike in Kirkuk’s Wadi al-Shay.
Experts on extremist groups emphasize that Abu Khadija’s influence extended beyond Iraq, as he coordinated ISIS’s foreign operations, earning him a reputation as one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world.
In June 2023, the U.S. State Department officially designated Abu Khadija as a global terrorist, citing his role in undermining international peace and security through terrorist activities.
Following his death, Abu Abdul Qadir al-Mazroui al-Iraqi was reportedly appointed as his successor, responsible for ISIS operations in Iraq and Syria.
U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the killing, stating, “Today, the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters.”
He added, “His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government.”
Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani confirmed that the operation was coordinated with the U.S.-led Global Coalition.
He emphasized that Abu Khadija was ISIS’s Deputy Caliph, Governor of Iraq and Syria, and a key figure in the organization’s Foreign Operations Office, reiterating that he was one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.