A senior Islamic State leader, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, was killed in a joint Iraqi-U.S. operation, marking a significant strike against the group as it seeks to regain influence in Syria and Iraq following years of territorial losses.
On Friday, a senior leader of the Islamic State, recognized as the head of operations in Iraq and Syria, was killed during a collaborative operation between Iraqi and U.S. forces, according to Iraq’s Prime Minister. This successful airstrike is significant as the Islamic State has been regrouping in Syria and escalating attacks, reaching levels not seen since losing territorial control nearly six years prior.
The airstrike took place in Anbar Province where special operations forces from both nations were present, gathering evidence from the strike site. A senior U.S. military official, who requested anonymity for operational reasons, validated the strike, underscoring the significance of the communal intelligence efforts that led to this operation.
The individual killed, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, was labeled as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world,” according to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. This operation marks a critical moment in the ongoing fight against Islamic State remnants in the region.
The joint operation resulting in the death of a key Islamic State leader highlights the ongoing collaborative efforts between Iraqi and U.S. forces to combat the resurgence of terrorism in the region. The implications of this successful airstrike may serve to weaken the operational capabilities of the Islamic State, particularly as it has been attempting to regain strength and conduct attacks in Syria and Iraq.
Original Source: www.nytimes.com
