Islamic State leader in Iraq and Syria killed, US says

In a significant development in the ongoing fight against terrorism, a high-ranking leader of the Islamic State group, known for its violent activities in Iraq and Syria, has been killed. This information was confirmed by the Iraqi prime minister, who stated that the Iraqi national intelligence service collaborated with forces from the United States to carry out this operation. The leader, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also referred to as Abu Khadijah, was described by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as one of the most dangerous terrorists not only in Iraq but also globally. US President Donald Trump commented on the operation, stating that the leader was relentlessly pursued by brave soldiers. The US Central Command, known as Centcom, reported that a precision airstrike was conducted in the Al Anbar province of Iraq, resulting in the death of this key member of the Islamic State. According to Centcom, Rifai was the head of the group's senior decision-making body and played a crucial role in planning and executing operations. He was also responsible for managing a significant portion of the group's finances. President Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to express his satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the leader's miserable life was ended in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish Regional Government. The operation resulted in the death of Rifai and another Islamic State operative, both of whom were found wearing unexploded suicide vests and armed with multiple weapons. Centcom explained that they were able to identify Rifai through a DNA match from samples collected during a previous raid where he narrowly escaped capture. General Michael Erik Kurilla emphasized the importance of Rifai within the Islamic State organization, stating that he was one of the most significant members. He assured that efforts would continue to eliminate terrorists and dismantle their organizations that pose a threat to the United States and its allies. The Islamic State once controlled a vast territory of approximately 88,000 square kilometers, which is equivalent to about 34,000 square miles. This area stretched from northeastern Syria across northern Iraq and subjected nearly eight million people to its brutal rule. Iraq officially declared the defeat of the Islamic State in December 2017, and the group lost its last territory in 2019. However, despite these victories, militants and sleeper cells remain active in various regions of Iraq, continuing to carry out sporadic attacks against the Iraqi army and police forces. This recent operation highlights the ongoing challenges in the fight against terrorism and the commitment of both Iraqi and US forces to ensure the safety and security of the region.