Senior Islamic State Leader Killed in Joint Iraqi-U.S. Operation

A senior Islamic State leader, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, was killed in a joint airstrike by Iraqi and U.S. forces. This operation underscores growing concerns over the group’s resurgence in Syria. The Iraqi Prime Minister confirmed the strike as a major counterterrorism success amid heightened IS activity.

Iraq recently announced the killing of a senior leader of the Islamic State (IS) in a collaborative operation with the United States. This airstrike targeted Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, purportedly the head of IS operations in Iraq and Syria. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani emphasized the importance of this strike amidst a resurgence of IS activity in Syria, where the group has executed a rising number of attacks since losing territorial control nearly six years ago.

A U.S. military official confirmed that the operation involved special operations forces from both Iraq and the U.S. These forces operated in Anbar Province, Iraq, and were collecting materials from the site following the airstrike. This strategic collaboration signifies a continued effort to combat the resurgence of the Islamic State in the region.

The recent airstrike that resulted in the death of a key Islamic State leader marks a significant development in ongoing counterterrorism efforts. The operation demonstrates the strategic alliance between Iraq and the United States, aiming to counteract the resurgence of IS, which has been increasingly active in Syria. The elimination of Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i may have notable implications for the group’s operations moving forward.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com