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The Iraqi government has announced the death of one of the Islamic State (IS) terror group’s most senior leaders, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija. According to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the country’s intelligence service successfully eliminated al-Rufay’i in a joint operation with the U.S.
Al-Rufay’i was the deputy caliph of IS and played a key role in the group’s operations across Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and other parts of the Middle East. The strike that killed him was the result of a two-year effort to track his location, with significant breakthroughs in the past six months.
The operation also led to the arrest of seven additional IS members, including two women, in a follow-up operation in Anbar, Iraq. Intelligence collected at the scene further led to the arrest of another five people in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed al-Rufay’i’s killing, describing him as the “fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq” and stating that his “miserable life was terminated” in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish Regional Government.
The U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, said al-Rufay’i and another IS official were killed in a precision airstrike on Thursday and that they were wearing suicide vests and carrying multiple weapons at the time of their deaths.
Source: VOA Middle Eas
Our Commentary
Background and Context
The announcement of the death of Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, a senior leader of the Islamic State (IS) terror group, is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat the group’s presence and influence in Iraq and the broader Middle East region. Al-Rufay’i, who held the position of deputy caliph within the IS hierarchy, was known for his key role in the group’s operations across Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and other parts of the region.
Expert Analysis
According to counterterrorism experts, the death of al-Rufay’i is a significant setback for the Islamic State, as he was responsible for overseeing the group’s activities across a wide geographical area. “The elimination of a senior leader like al-Rufay’i is a significant victory in the ongoing battle against the Islamic State,” said a senior fellow at the Center for Middle East Studies. “It not only disrupts the group’s operational capabilities but also sends a strong message that the Iraqi government and its allies are determined to hunt down and eliminate the group’s leadership.”
Additional Data and Fact Reinforcement
The successful joint operation between the Iraqi intelligence service and the U.S. forces, which spanned over two years and involved significant intelligence gathering and coordination, demonstrates the ongoing commitment and collaboration between the Iraqi government and its international partners in the fight against terrorism. The operation also led to the arrest of seven additional IS members, including two women, in a follow-up operation in Anbar, Iraq, and the arrest of another five people in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil.
Related News
The news of al-Rufay’i’s death comes amid a series of recent successes in the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and the broader region. In January 2023, the U.S. and its allies carried out a raid in northern Syria that resulted in the death of the group’s leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi. Additionally, Iraqi security forces have been conducting ongoing operations to disrupt IS cells and capture or eliminate its members across the country.
Summary
The announcement of the death of Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, a senior leader of the Islamic State terror group, is a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat the group’s presence and influence in Iraq and the broader Middle East region. The successful joint operation between the Iraqi intelligence service and the U.S. forces, which spanned over two years, demonstrates the commitment and collaboration between the Iraqi government and its international partners in the fight against terrorism. Experts believe that the elimination of al-Rufay’i is a major setback for the Islamic State, as he was a key figure responsible for overseeing the group’s activities across a wide geographical area. As the Iraqi government and its allies continue to target the Islamic State’s leadership and operational capabilities, the future outlook for the group’s presence in the region remains uncertain.
