ISIS Leader in Iraq and Syria Killed in Joint Iraqi and U.S.-Led Coalition Operation

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaybani, left, speaks during a news conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Fouad Hussein, following their meeting, in Baghdad, Iraq, on Friday, March.14, 2025.

The leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has been killed in an operation conducted by Iraq’s national intelligence service in coordination with U.S.-led coalition forces, according to an announcement by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

The militant leader, Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, known as "Abu Khadija," was identified as the "deputy caliph" of ISIS and labeled "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world." The operation took place in Anbar province, in western Iraq, and was carried out by an airstrike. While the strike occurred Thursday night, confirmation of al-Rifai's death was made on Friday.

President Donald Trump praised the operation, stating that the fugitive ISIS leader had been "relentlessly hunted down" by U.S. forces working alongside Iraqi and Kurdish regional forces.

Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i has been described as the ‘Emir’ of ISIS’ most senior decision-making

The announcement coincided with a visit by Syria’s top diplomat to Iraq, during which both nations reaffirmed their commitment to combating ISIS. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein highlighted the continued threat posed by ISIS across both Iraq and Syria, referencing a newly established operations room involving Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon to coordinate counterterrorism efforts.

The relationship between Iraq and Syria has faced complexities following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani, who took office with the backing of Iran-aligned factions, maintains ties with Tehran, a key ally of Assad. Meanwhile, Syria's interim leadership, led by former insurgent fighters, has been actively pursuing ISIS remnants, though concerns remain about the group’s ability to stage a resurgence amid regional instability.

Iraq and the U.S. previously agreed to wind down the American-led coalition’s mission in Iraq by September 2025, marking an end to Washington’s two-decade military presence in the country. At the time, Iraqi leaders asserted that ISIS no longer posed a significant threat. However, the fall of Assad’s government in December has led to renewed concerns about security in the region, with some Iraqi political factions reconsidering their stance on continued counterterrorism cooperation.