Iraqi Forces Arrest Key Operatives of ISIS Deputy Leader
By Kardo Roj
BAGHDAD, Iraq (North Press) – Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Forces have arrested seven Islamic State (ISIS) operatives, including two women, who were directly linked to Abdullah Maki Muslih al-Rifai, known as “Abu Khadija,” the group’s second-in-command in Iraq. The arrests come weeks after the U.S. Central Command confirmed Abu Khadija was killed in a targeted operation in Iraq’s Anbar province.
According to an official statement from Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), the operation took place on Tuesday following precise intelligence gathering. The arrests were made in a series of coordinated raids in Anbar, an area where ISIS sleeper cells continue to operate despite years of counterinsurgency efforts.
The CTS statement revealed that the operation was launched shortly after a U.S. airstrike targeted an ISIS stronghold in Anbar’s desert regions last month. The subsequent ground raid by Iraqi forces led to the capture of the seven suspects, who were reportedly part of Abu Khadija’s inner network.
A security source confirmed that “these individuals were responsible for logistics and intelligence gathering within ISIS’s remaining structure in western Iraq.” The source added that two of the arrested individuals were women, who are believed to have played roles in communications and financial transactions for the group.
Abu Khadija was regarded as the highest-ranking ISIS figure in Iraq after the group’s top leaders were either killed or arrested in recent years. His death on March 16 was considered a significant setback for ISIS, which has struggled to reorganize following sustained counterterrorism efforts by the Iraqi government and its international allies.
Despite losing territorial control, ISIS continues to launch sporadic attacks, particularly in rural parts of Iraq and Syria. The group has relied on small, highly mobile units to carry out ambushes, assassinations, and suicide bombings.
Iraq’s security forces have ramped up counterterrorism operations in coordination with the U.S.-led coalition. The CTS has carried out a series of raids targeting ISIS sleeper cells in Kirkuk, Salah al-Din, and Nineveh provinces over the past few months.
The arrests come amid broader regional efforts to combat ISIS-linked factions in both Iraq and Syria. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), backed by the U.S., have also intensified operations against ISIS remnants in northeast Syria, particularly in areas bordering Iraq.
Security analysts warn that while ISIS is significantly weakened, its ideology and ability to recruit remain challenges.
As Iraq moves forward with its counterterrorism efforts, maintaining pressure on ISIS networks remains crucial to ensuring long-term stability in the region.