Trump posted on Truth Social, "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!"
According to Fox News, Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, or "Abu Khadija" was killed by US military forces in coordination with the Iraqi National Intelligence Service. Iraqi Prime Minister posted on X that the ISIS terrorist "held the so-called position of (Deputy Caliph), in addition to serving as the so-called Wali of Iraq and Syria, head of the Authorized Committee, and overseer of external operations offices. He was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world."
US Central Command wrote in a statement that an air strike was conducted in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq and that the attack killed the "Global ISIS #2 leader, Chief of Global Operations and the Delegated Committee Emir – Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, alias 'Abu Khadijah,' and one other ISIS operative."
US and Iraqi forces were able to go to the strike site afterward and found the dead bodies of both ISIS terrorists. Each was wearing suicide vests that had not been detonated and had multiple weapons with them. The bodies were identified through DNA matching technology.
Commander at Central Command Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla told reporters, "Abu Khadijah was one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organization. We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and U.S., allied and partner personnel in the region and beyond."
