US Kills ISIS Chief Abu Khadija: The United States, in coordination with the Iraqi army, has successfully eliminated ISIS’s top leader, Abu Khadija, in an airstrike conducted on March 13, 2025, in Iraq’s Al-Anbar region. The operation, considered a significant blow to the terror group’s global network, also resulted in the death of another ISIS operative. According to the US Central Command, Abu Khadija was one of the most dangerous and influential terrorists in the world.
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Who Was Abu Khadija?
Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, better known by his alias Abu Khadija, was born in 1991 and became involved with terrorism at an early age. He joined al-Qaeda in 2009, but his criminal path truly accelerated after he escaped from prison in Iraq in 2011.
In 2014, Khadija joined ISIS as the extremist group was expanding rapidly across Syria and Iraq. Due to his strategic abilities and ruthless operations, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming the chief of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. He also served as the deputy caliph following the death of former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019.
US Kills ISIS Chief Abu Khadija: Operation Details
The airstrike targeting Abu Khadija was carried out by US forces with the assistance of the Iraqi military. According to reports, the US Army struck Khadija’s vehicle, and both armies later retrieved the bodies of the two terrorists. Despite wearing suicide jackets, the explosives did not detonate. Additionally, several weapons were recovered from the site.
The US Central Command verified Abu Khadija’s death through DNA analysis, cross-referencing samples collected during a previous raid where he had narrowly escaped.
Statements from Leaders
US President Donald Trump stated, “Today, the fugitive leader of ISIS has been eliminated. Our brave soldiers hunted him down and delivered justice. Alongside him, another ISIS member was also killed in this coordinated operation.”
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani added via social media, “Abu Khadija was one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world. Our forces have successfully eliminated him.”
Previous Operations Against ISIS
This operation follows a significant attack by the US military in September 2024 that killed 37 ISIS and al-Qaeda-linked terrorists in Syria. Two airstrikes targeted ISIS training camps and Al-Qaeda operatives in Syria, marking another critical milestone in the war against terror.
Why is the US Still Involved in Syria?
The US has been actively involved in Syria since 2015, officially to combat ISIS and maintain stability in the region. Despite withdrawing most of its troops in 2019, approximately 2,000 American soldiers remain stationed in Syria, working alongside Kurdish forces known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The US military presence is also linked to oil reserves that play a vital role in Syria’s economy.
Impact of Khadija’s Death
Abu Khadija’s death is expected to significantly destabilize ISIS’s operations worldwide. As the group’s chief strategist and logistician, his elimination will undoubtedly hinder ISIS’s ability to plan and coordinate large-scale attacks.
The death of Abu Khadija is a powerful reminder of the continued efforts of the US and its allies to dismantle ISIS’s network. His elimination represents a major victory in the fight against global terrorism, but experts warn that ISIS remains a resilient organization capable of regrouping under new leadership.
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