Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced that the leader of the Islamic State (ISIL) group, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, has been killed by Iraqi security forces with US-led coalition support. The killing is seen as a significant blow to remaining ISIL remnants in Iraq.
In 2017, Iraq declared victory over ISIL, but the group still maintains sleeper cells and launches occasional attacks. The announcement coincided with a visit from Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who emphasized the need for cooperation in fighting ISIL across their shared border.
Al-Sudani hailed the killing as a major success, calling Abu Khadija “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.” The move aims to bolster security efforts against the terrorist group.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/14/iraq-says-dangerous-isil-leader-abu-khadija-killed