Islamic State Leader Killed in Iraq Operation

BAGHDAD — The head of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as "Abu Khadija," has been killed in an operation by Iraqi national intelligence service and U.S.-led coalition forces. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the news on Friday, stating that “the Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism.”

Al-Rifai, considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world, was the deputy caliph of the militant group. The operation was carried out by an airstrike in Anbar province, western Iraq, on Thursday night, with al-Rifai's death confirmed on Friday.

The announcement coincided with the first visit of Syria's top diplomat to Iraq, where the two countries pledged to work together to combat the Islamic State. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein emphasized the common challenges facing Syrian and Iraqi societies, particularly in regards to IS.

The operation and visit come at a time when Iraqi officials are concerned about an IS resurgence following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad. Despite Syria's new rulers pursuing IS cells, some fear a breakdown in overall security could allow the group to re-emerge.

The U.S. and Iraq had previously agreed to wind down the military mission in Iraq by September 2025, with U.S. forces departing some bases. However, the fall of Assad has led some to reassess the threat of IS, including members of the Coordination Framework, a coalition of mainly Shiite, Iran-allied political parties.