The number 2 leader of ISIS, identified as Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai and also known as 'Abu Khadijah', was neutralized in an operation carried out on March 13 in the province of Al Anbar, Iraq. U.S. and Iraqi forces coordinated the attack in which Abu Khadijah and another ISIS member were killed.
Authorities detailed that Abu Khadijah was responsible for ISIS's global operations, logistics, and planning. The deceased terrorists were found with undetonated suicide vests and weapons in their possession. After the attack, U.S. forces and Iraqi intelligence confirmed Abu Khadijah's identity through DNA evidence.
President Donald Trump celebrated the news of the elimination of one of the most important leaders of ISIS. On his social media, Trump communicated the death of Abu Khadijah, highlighting the coordination between the U.S., Iraqi, and Kurdish governments in the fight against terrorism. Trump expressed his support for the forces involved in the operation and reaffirmed his commitment to the anti-terrorism fight.
"Today, the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. The U.S. government reported the elimination of one of the most important leaders of the terrorist organization ISIS. His miserable life was annihilated, along with that of another ISIS member, in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish regional government. Peace through strength!" stated President Trump regarding the successful operation.
