A senior leader of the Islamic State (IS) group, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifa, also known as Abu Khadija, has been killed in a joint operation involving the Iraqi intelligence service and US-led coalition forces. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani described him as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists.
US President Donald Trump commented on the operation, stating that Abu Khadija had been "relentlessly hunted down." The strike happened in Iraq’s Al Anbar province. According to the US Central Command (Centcom), a video of the operation was shared on social media.
Abu Khadija was not just a regional figure; he was a top decision-maker in IS, handling operations and logistics both in Iraq and globally. Centcom pointed out that he played a significant role in managing the finances of the group.
During the strike, Abu Khadija was found with another IS member, and both were armed with suicide vests. Centcom used DNA collected from an earlier raid to identify him after he had narrowly escaped capture before. General Michael Erik Kurilla emphasized that Abu Khadija was a key player in IS and reiterated the commitment to dismantling terrorist organizations that threaten safety.
Historically, IS once controlled a massive territory of about 88,000 square kilometers, affecting nearly eight million people in Iraq and Syria. In December 2017, Iraq declared IS defeated, and the group lost its last territory in 2019. Yet, remnants of IS still exist in Iraq, and there have been reports of ongoing attacks from militants and sleeper cells.
It’s worth noting that despite the territorial losses, IS has attempted to maintain relevance through social media and propaganda. This resilience showcases how the group is adapting in a world where technology plays a significant role in activism and terrorism. A recent report highlighted that social media platforms are continuously being used by extremist groups to recruit and spread their ideologies, sparking concern among experts about the evolving nature of modern warfare.
For reliable updates on similar security matters, websites like the Center for Strategic and International Studies provide valuable insights and analysis.
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