U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, executed a precision airstrike on Thursday that eliminated one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists—ISIS Global Operations Chief and second-in-command, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, known as “Abu Khadijah.”
The strike, carried out in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province, not only neutralized Abu Khadijah but also took down another high-level ISIS operative.
Abu Khadijah, the Emir of ISIS’s senior decision-making body, was instrumental in coordinating global terror attacks, overseeing logistics, and funneling finances to sustain the radical Islamist network. His elimination is a crippling blow to the remnants of ISIS.
“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,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command.
Following the strike, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces confirmed the successful elimination of both terrorists.
“Both terrorists were wearing unexploded “suicide vests” and had multiple weapons,” according to the press release.
“CENTCOM and Iraqi forces were able to identify Abu Khadijah through a DNA match from DNA collected on a previous raid where Abu Khadijah narrowly escaped.”
Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufayy’l, widely recognized as Abu Khadija, was a senior figure in the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), a radical jihadist group infamous for its brutal terrorist campaigns across Iraq, Syria, and beyond. An Iraqi native, he joined ISIS during the… pic.twitter.com/FKp023tUKb
— Sam (@5oclockhere) March 14, 2025
Iraqi National Intelligence Service eliminated lSlS terrorist Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, known as (Abu Khadija).
He was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world. pic.twitter.com/wHrfmwETZ7
— Azat (@AzatAlsalim) March 14, 2025
President Trump, who pioneered the Peace Through Strength doctrine that decimated ISIS under his administration, responded to the news with a powerful statement 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!”
Meanwhile, CENTCOM released the airstrike footage on X, offering the world a front-row seat to American justice in action.
CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Chief of Global Operations Who Also Served as ISIS #2
On March 13, U.S. Central Command forces, in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader,… pic.twitter.com/rWeEoUY7Lw
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2025
