March 15, 2025: The head of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq, Abdullah Maki al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadija, has been killed in a coordinated military operation involving US, Iraqi, and Kurdish forces. Former US President Donald Trump announced the development on Saturday, taking credit for the successful mission.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed the operation and hailed it as a major victory in the ongoing fight against terrorism. In a statement on X, he praised Iraqi security forces and the US-led coalition for their efforts, describing Abu Khadija as "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world."

Trump, posting on his social media platform Truth Social, celebrated the operation, stating, "Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters." He further declared, "His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!"

The White House later released visuals of the airstrike that eliminated Abu Khadija. A security official told the Associated Press that the strike took place in western Anbar province on Thursday night.

Abu Khadija was a high-ranking ISIS commander and a potential contender for the position of the group's global leader. His elimination is seen as a strategic blow to the terrorist organization, which has struggled to regain its former strength in the region.

The announcement of his death coincided with the visit of Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to Iraq. During a joint press conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, al-Shaibani reiterated Syria’s commitment to working with Iraq in eradicating ISIS remnants. "Security is a shared responsibility," he stated, emphasizing the need for stronger regional cooperation.

Al-Shaibani also called for the reopening of the Iraq-Syria border to boost trade and diplomatic ties, following its closure in December due to security concerns after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

The killing of Abu Khadija marks another milestone in the international fight against ISIS, though experts warn that the group's ideology and operations continue to pose a threat in the region.