An American air strike in western Iraq killed the head of the world Islamic State on Thursday who also served as an Islamic State command, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadijah”, with another Islamic State agent, confirmed American officials.
On Thursday, the American central command forces, in cooperation with the Iraqi intelligence and security forces, led a precision air strike in the province of Albar, Iraq, which killed Abu Khadijah, according to a press release from Centcom.
“As an emir of the most high -end decision -making organization in the Islamic State, Abu Khadijah has maintained the responsibility for operations, logistics and planning carried out by the Islamic State worldwide, and directs a significant part of finance for the World Organization of the Group,” said officials.
Folder photo: The Pentagon building is seen in Arlington, Virginie, American on October 9, 2020. Reuters / Carlos Barria / Photo file
Carlos Barria / Reuters
After the strike, Centcom and the Iraqi forces moved to the strike site and found the two corpses, which both wore “suicide vests” unploded and had several weapons, said Centcom.
One hundredcom and the Iraqi forces were able to identify Abu Khadijah by a DNA match from DNA collected during a previous raid where Abu Khadijah narrowly escaped, officials confirmed.
“Abu Khadijah was one of the most important members of ISIS of the entire World Islamic State organization. We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations who threaten our homeland and we, an ally and partner staff in the region and beyond, “said General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander, American Commander.”
