Senior ISIS leader killed in joint US-Iraq operation

(CLO) Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Friday that Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as "Abu Khadija", was killed in an operation carried out by Iraq's national intelligence agency, in coordination with US-led coalition forces.

According to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the airstrike took place in Al Anbar province, Iraq, targeting a location where al-Rifai was hiding. He was identified as the number 2 leader of IS (or ISIS) globally, holding the role of Chief of Operations and one of the highest decision makers of this terrorist organization.

Mr al-Sudani described al-Rifai as "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world ". In addition to al-Rifai, the operation also killed another ISIS member whose identity has not been released.

A masked Islamic State fighter holds an ISIL banner in the Iraqi or Syrian desert. Photo: ISIL

After the airstrike, US and Iraqi forces combed the scene. They found al-Rifai and his accomplice wearing unexploded explosive vests. Al-Rifai’s identity was confirmed using DNA collected from a previous raid, where he narrowly escaped.

Responding to this information, US President Donald Trump posted on the Truth Social platform: "Today, the leader of ISIS on the run in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly pursued by our brave warriors. His miserable life was ended, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Government of Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government."

Mr. Trump ended the post with the slogan: "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!".

According to CENTCOM, al-Rifai is responsible for organizing ISIS's military operations, logistics, and attack planning globally. He also plays a key role in controlling the terrorist organization's finances.

"Abu Khadijah is one of the most important ISIS members in the entire organization," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of CENTCOM. "We will continue to eliminate terrorists and destroy organizations that threaten our homeland, the United States, our allies and partners around the world."

Ngoc Anh (according to Fox News, Mint)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thu-linh-cap-cao-cua-is-bi-tieu-diet-trong-chien-dich-phoi-hop-giua-iraq-va-my-post338653.html