In a significant blow to the Islamic State’s leadership, the United States military confirmed that it has killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadijah,” in an airstrike in western Iraq.
Al-Rifai, who was ISIS’s chief of global operations and the group’s second-in-command, was targeted on March 13 while traveling in a vehicle through the Iraqi countryside, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement on Friday.
CENTCOM described al-Rifai as “the Emir of ISIS’ most senior decision-making body” and stated that he “maintained responsibility for operations, logistics, and planning conducted by ISIS globally, and directs a significant portion of finance for the group’s global organization.”
His death marks a major setback for ISIS, which has continued to operate in the region despite the loss of its territorial strongholds.
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Iraq’s government first announced al-Rifai’s death on March 14, with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani calling him “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.” However, Iraq’s version of events differed from the U.S. account.
Al-Sudani claimed that Iraqi security forces had killed the ISIS leader “with the support and coordination of the Joint Operations Command and the International Coalition Forces,” implying that Iraq played a primary role in the operation.
CENTCOM’s announcement, however, suggests that it was a direct U.S. airstrike that neutralized al-Rifai. In its post on X, the U.S. military shared a video of the attack, showing a lone vehicle struck by two successive munitions.
The scale of the explosions indicated that the Hellfire R9X “flying Ginsu” missile—often used in precision strikes—was likely not involved. The airstrike also killed one other ISIS member who was traveling with al-Rifai.
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Following the strike, U.S. and Iraqi forces arrived at the scene to confirm al-Rifai’s identity. CENTCOM disclosed that DNA samples from the corpses were matched with records from a previous raid that al-Rifai had escaped.
The bodies were also found wearing explosive vests that had not detonated, despite the force of the strikes. Additionally, multiple weapons were recovered from the vehicle.
This level of post-strike verification marks a shift in how the U.S. is publicly handling high-profile ISIS eliminations, as past announcements have been more vague about identification methods.
The killing of al-Rifai underscores the ongoing U.S. campaign against ISIS, which continues to operate in pockets across the Middle East and Africa. Despite the fall of its last Syrian stronghold in 2019, the group remains active in insurgency-style attacks and underground operations.
The United States currently has about 2,500 troops stationed in Iraq, working alongside Iraqi forces and regional allies to prevent the resurgence of the terrorist organization.
Recent months have seen an uptick in military operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria. In the fall of 2024, the U.S. and its partners conducted multiple raids and airstrikes in the Anbar Province and eastern Syria, targeting senior figures within the group.
More large-scale strikes followed in the winter, including operations in central Syria around the time that the Assad regime fell to rebel forces now governing the country.
The elimination of al-Rifai represents a strategic victory for counterterrorism efforts, but ISIS remains a persistent threat.
As long as the group retains the ability to fund operations and recruit fighters, the U.S.-led coalition and its regional partners will likely continue their efforts to dismantle its network.
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