The head of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, Abu Khadija, has been killed in an operation by Iraqi intelligence service members along with US-led coalition forces. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Friday.
Abu Khadija was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world as the “deputy caliph” of the militant group. He was targeted in an airstrike in Anbar province, western Iraq.
The operation came after a visit between Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein and Syrian top diplomat earlier this week. The two countries pledged to work together to combat IS and formed an operations room with Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria to confront the group.
The partnership between Iraq and Syria is historic, sharing knowledge, culture, and economy as the capitals of the Arab and Islamic world throughout history. Strengthening their relationship will benefit their peoples and contribute to regional stability.
The US and Iraq announced an agreement last year to wind down the coalition’s mission in Iraq by September 2025, with a focus on preventing IS resurgence. However, the fall of Assad in Syria has led some to reassess this stance, including members of the Coordination Framework coalition.
Source: https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2025/03/14/islamic-state-leader-for-iraq-and-syria-killed-iraq-says