The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Saturday confirmed that its airstrike killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, alias “Abu Khadijah,” the second-in-command leader of ISIS. According to CENTCOM, the strike, carried out in Iraq’s Al Anbar Province on Thursday, was coordinated with Iraqi intelligence and security forces.
Earlier reports, including one from SOFX, highlighted the Iraqi intelligence’s efforts to neutralize the suspect, whom Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani described as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.”
The targeted strike hit a vehicle carrying Abu Khadijah and another ISIS operative as they traveled through the Iraqi countryside. CENTCOM released video footage of the strike, showing a vehicle destroyed by two precision munitions.
CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Chief of Global Operations Who Also Served as ISIS #2
On March 13, U.S. Central Command forces, in cooperation with Iraqi Intelligence and Security Forces, conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader,… pic.twitter.com/rWeEoUY7Lw
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2025
According to CENTCOM, Abu Khadijah and the other ISIS operative in the vehicles were found wearing unexploded suicide vests and carrying multiple weapons when their bodies were recovered. CENTCOM and Iraqi forces identified Abu Khadijah through a DNA match using samples collected from a previous raid in which he narrowly escaped.
CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla underscored the significance of the operation, describing Abu Khadijah—who oversaw operations, logistics, and planning for ISIS globally—as “one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organization.”
He added: “We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and U.S., allied, and partner personnel in the region and beyond.”
Meanwhile, CENTCOM also announced on Saturday the arrest of Abu Khadija’s wife, ISIS terrorist Umm Hussein, in a recent operation carried out by Iraqi Intelligence and Security forces.
U.S. Central Command commends Iraqi Intelligence and Security forces on the successful operation leading to the capture and arrest of Chechen ISIS terrorist Umm Hussein, the wife of ISIS leader Abu Khadija, who was killed in a strike on March 13. Umm Hussein has been an active… pic.twitter.com/dW91o1k7CP
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 15, 2025
The location and details of the operation were not disclosed, but according to CENTCOM, it also led to the capture of two additional ISIS terrorists.
