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In a major counterterrorism breakthrough, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed on Friday that Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai, better known as Abu Khadija, has been killed.
The high-ranking ISIS leader, who was in charge of the group's operations in Iraq and Syria, was eliminated in an operation conducted by Iraqi security forces, with support and coordination from the US-led international coalition.
Prime Minister Confirms the Death of Abu Khadija
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Sudani announced the successful operation, praising Iraqi forces for their continued fight against terrorism.
يواصل العراقيون انتصاراتهم المبهرة على قوى الظلام والإرهاب، حيث تمكن أبطال جهاز المخابرات الوطني العراقي، بإسناد وتنسيق من قيادة العمليات المشتركة وقوات التحالف الدولي، من قتل الإرهابي عبد الله مكي مصلح الرفيعي المكنى (أبو خديجة) الذي يشغل منصب ما يسمّى (نائب الخليفة وهو الذي…
— محمد شياع السوداني (@mohamedshia) March 14, 2025
“The Iraqis continue their dazzling victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism. The heroes of the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, with the support and coordination of the Joint Operations Command and the International Coalition Forces, were able to kill the terrorist Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai, nicknamed (Abu Khadija),” Sudani wrote.
He further emphasized that Abu Khadija was one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world, congratulating Iraqis and peace-loving nations on this significant security achievement.
Who Was Abu Khadija?
Abu Khadija held multiple key positions within ISIS and was considered one of the top leaders in the terror group’s hierarchy. His roles included:
- Deputy Caliph – making him a key figure in ISIS’s leadership structure.
- Governor of Iraq and Syria – overseeing the group’s activities in the region.
- Head of Foreign Operations – managing ISIS’s global terror networks.
His elimination is a major blow to ISIS, significantly weakening the group’s ability to operate and coordinate attacks in the region.
A Major Setback for ISIS
ISIS has suffered multiple leadership losses in recent years, including:
- Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi – Killed in a US operation in 2019.
- His successors – Several of them were eliminated in quick succession.
Despite these setbacks, ISIS remains a persistent threat through its affiliates and underground networks in the Middle East and beyond. However, Abu Khadija’s death marks another significant milestone in the fight against terrorism in Iraq.
With continuous efforts by Iraqi forces and their international allies, the battle against ISIS remains far from over, but this victory sends a strong message: Terrorists will not escape justice.
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