Iraqi Forces Eliminate Notorious ISIS Leader Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai
Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai, ISIS leader, known as Abu Khadija, has been killed by Iraqi security forces with U.S. support. Prime Minister Sudani hailed this as a significant security success, labeling him a major terrorist threat. This death underscores ISIS’s leadership struggles since al-Baghdadi’s demise in 2019, although the group continues to operate covertly.
The leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai, known as Abu Khadija, has been confirmed dead by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. The Iraqi security forces, in collaboration with the U.S.-led coalition, were responsible for his elimination. Prime Minister Sudani emphasized this as a significant security victory for Iraq, acknowledging the detrimental role Abu Khadija played in global terrorism.
Abu Khadija, whom Sudani labeled as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world,” had risen to a prominent position in ISIS, serving as the emir of Bilad al-Rafidayn. His death marks another significant blow to ISIS, which has been suffering from successive leadership losses since the demise of its former leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in 2019.
Born in 1991 in Iraq’s Salah ad Din Province, Abu Khadija became a senior figure in the organization following al-Baghdadi’s death. ISIS has struggled to maintain a stable leadership dynamic since then, experiencing rapid turnover in its leaders. Despite losing significant territory, the group continues to seek resurgence in various regions including the Middle East and beyond.
Although ISIS has lost much control after al-Baghdadi’s elimination, the organization still operates covertly, with some affiliates conducting attacks. This highlights a persistent threat even as the group remains under constant scrutiny and pressure from international forces.
The death of Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai reflects an ongoing battle against terrorism and challenges faced by ISIS in maintaining its leadership structure. With consistent pressures from Iraqi forces and international coalitions, this critical security achievement demonstrates progress in efforts to dismantle such militant groups, though the residual threat remains due to the group’s ongoing attempts to regroup and retaliate.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
