Pentagon announces assassination of ISIS deputy caliph: Congratulatory message from Trump
Iraqi and U.S. officials announced that the number two figure of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), al-Rifai, was killed in an operation conducted on Friday night. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the killing of al-Rifai, stating that he was killed as a result of a joint operation with Iraq.
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The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani noted that ISIS 'deputy caliph' Abdullah Meki Muslih al-Rifai was killed. Trump congratulated the soldiers who neutralized al-Rifai. It was stated that the operation was carried out by the Iraqi national intelligence service and the U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq's Al Anbar Governorate.
Iraqi leader al-Sudani said in his statement, 'Iraqis continue their impressive victories against the forces of darkness and terror.' Al-Rifai was known as the 'deputy caliph' of ISIS. The Pentagon pointed out that al-Rifai was 'one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world.'
IDENTITY REVEALED BY DNA TEST
CENTCOM announced that al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in a precision airstrike during an operation conducted on Thursday. Another ISIS member also lost his life in the attack.
According to a report by CBC News, following the operation, U.S. and Iraqi forces reached the bodies of two dead terrorists equipped with unexploded suicide vests and numerous weapons. Abu Khadija's identity was confirmed by DNA samples collected during a previous raid.
CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla thanked the Iraqi government for their cooperation and stated the following:
'Abu Khadija was one of the most important figures in the global ISIS organization. We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and our allies.'
Posting on the Truth Social platform on Friday night, Trump congratulated the forces that carried out the operation and said:
'Today, the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our fearless warriors in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish regional government. Peace through strength!'
HTS'S VISIT TO IRAQ
The operation coincided with the first visit to Iraq by HTS-affiliated Syrian Foreign Minister Asad Hassan al-Shibani. The two countries pledged to work together in the fight against ISIS. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein stated that an operations room established by Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon to combat ISIS would soon become operational.
Pointing to the historical ties between the two countries, al-Shibani said, 'Baghdad and Damascus have been the capitals of the Arab and Islamic world throughout history, sharing knowledge, culture, and economy.' Al-Shibani expressed that strengthening the partnership between the two countries would contribute to the stability of the region.
Syrian officials did not comment on the operation against the number two figure of ISIS.
In his statement, Hussein said, 'There are common challenges facing Syrian and Iraqi society, especially the ISIS terrorists.' Iraqi officials were concerned about a resurgence of ISIS following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.
The U.S. and Iraq agreed to end the mission of the coalition established last year to fight ISIS in Iraq by September 2025. In this context, it was stated that U.S. forces would reduce their military presence in the country, which has lasted for 20 years.