ISIS leader killed in major US‑coalition operation in Iraq
President Donald Trump of the United States announced the death of one of the leaders of the Islamic State in Iraq. Iraqi authorities also confirmed this information.
What do you need to know?
- Killed leader: Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufaji, known as Abu Khadidja, was killed in an operation by Iraqi security forces supported by an international coalition led by the United States.
- International cooperation: The operation was coordinated with the Iraqi government and the regional Kurdish government, as emphasized by President Trump.
- Future of the mission: The United States plans to end the international mission against ISIS in Iraq by September 2025, which means the withdrawal of American troops from some bases.
What were the circumstances of the ISIS leader's death?
President Donald Trump announced on the Truth Social platform the death of the fugitive leader of the Islamic State in Iraq.
"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!" wrote Trump. Earlier, Iraqi authorities announced the death of Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufaji, known as Abu Khadidja.
What does this mean for the future of the fight against ISIS?
Al-Rufaji was the deputy caliph to Abu Hafsa al-Hashimi al-Qurashi and led the group's activities in Iraq and Syria. His death is a significant blow to the Islamic State, which has been trying to rebuild its structures for over a decade after losing control over large areas of Syria and Iraq. The American army warned in July 2024 that the group "is attempting to rebuild after several years of reduced activity."
What are the United States' plans regarding their presence in Iraq?
The United States announced ending the international mission against ISIS in Iraq by September 2025. This means the withdrawal of American soldiers from some bases after more than 20 years of presence in the country. Nevertheless, ISIS is still active in Syria, where the group became active after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. The new authorities in Damascus, although linked with Islamist militias, declare a fight against the Islamic State.
