President Donald Trump announced the death of senior ISIS leader Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadijah,” after U.S. forces carried out a precision airstrike in Iraq’s Al Anbar province on March 13. The operation, conducted with Iraqi and Kurdish forces, marked the second major strike against ISIS leadership since Trump returned to office.
Trump praised the mission on Truth Social, emphasizing his administration’s aggressive approach to counterterrorism. “Our intrepid warfighters relentlessly hunted him down,” he wrote. “His miserable life ended, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!”
U.S. Forces Strike With Precision
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the strike and identified Rifai as a key ISIS leader responsible for global operations, logistics, and financing. U.S. intelligence pinpointed his location, and military forces executed the attack with precision.
“Abu Khadijah ranked among the most important ISIS members worldwide,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla. “We will keep eliminating terrorists and dismantling their networks that threaten our homeland.”
Iraqi officials also confirmed the strike. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called it another major victory against terrorism. U.S. forces found Rifai and another ISIS operative dead, both wearing suicide vests. DNA testing verified Rifai’s identity. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth applauded the mission, posting on X, “Well done.”
