Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the death of Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, known as Abu Khadija, who was described as one of the most dangerous terrorists globally. He was killed by Iraqi security forces with assistance from the US-led coalition. The Islamic State previously enforced strict Islamist rule in Iraq and Syria and is attempting a resurgence. The group, previously led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, proclaimed a caliphate in 2014 before its decline. Recent reports indicate that the Islamic State is increasing its attack frequency, reflecting an intent to rebuild its capabilities.
Baghdad:
The Prime Minister of Iraq announced on Friday the death of the leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, labeling him as “one of the most perilous terrorists in Iraq and globally.”
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stated that Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, known as Abu Khadija, was killed by Iraqi security forces with the assistance of the US-led coalition targeting Islamic State activities.
The Islamic State had enforced strict Islamist governance over millions in Syria and Iraq for years and has been making efforts to regain strength in the Middle East, as well as in the West and Asia.
Former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi proclaimed a caliphate across significant regions of Iraq and Syria in 2014, prior to being killed in a US special forces raid in northwest Syria in 2019, which coincided with the group’s decline.
The US Central Command noted last July that the organization was attempting to “rebuild itself after several years of diminished capacity.”
This assessment was informed by Islamic State’s claims of executing 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria during the first six months of 2024, a statistic indicative of a potential doubling of the attacks compared to the previous year.
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