On March 13, U.S. forces killed ISIS’s second-in-command Abdallah al-Rifai in an airstrike in Iraq’s Anbar Province. Al-Rifai was pivotal in ISIS operations, logistics, and financial management. His death, announced by CENTCOM and supported by DNA confirmation, highlights ongoing U.S. military operations against ISIS despite the group’s territorial losses.
On March 13, U.S. Central Command reported the successful American airstrike that eliminated Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadijah,” who served as ISIS’s chief of global operations and second-in-command. The strike occurred in the Anbar Province, where al-Rifai was targeted while traveling in a vehicle. His death was confirmed by CENTCOM late on March 14 after Iraq’s Prime Minister announced it earlier that day, labeling al-Rifai a significant terrorist threat at both national and global levels.
Al-Rifai was described by U.S. officials as the leader of ISIS’s top decision-making body, responsible for operations, logistics, planning, and a critical part of the group’s financial management. His demise is regarded as a substantial blow to ISIS. While the Iraqi government claimed credit for the strike, CENTCOM clarified its involvement, highlighting a discrepancy between the two accounts.
In an announcement via social media, CENTCOM shared footage of the airstrike, illustrating the impact of two consecutive munitions hitting the target vehicle, which indicated that more conventional ordnance was utilized rather than the specialized Hellfire R9X missile. CENTCOM confirmed that both al-Rifai and another ISIS member were passengers in the vehicle at the time of the attack.
To confirm the identities of the deceased, U.S. and Iraqi forces utilized DNA samples compared against previous samples from a prior raid that al-Rifai had escaped. Notably, both individuals were equipped with explosive vests, which failed to detonate despite the powerful explosions that resulted from the airstrike. Furthermore, numerous weapons were discovered within the vehicle.
Despite the fall of ISIS’s last stronghold in Syria, the U.S.-led coalition remains vigilant in its efforts to neutralize ISIS members across the Middle East and Africa. Currently, approximately 2,500 U.S. troops are stationed in Iraq as part of a larger initiative to combat ISIS, with coordinated operations historically conducted throughout the region, especially in the Anbar Province and eastern Syria.
The recent airstrike that killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai marks a significant victory against ISIS, as he was a high-ranking official responsible for strategic operations and finances. The operation underscores ongoing military efforts by the U.S. and its allies to combat terrorism in the region, even after the loss of ISIS’s territorial stronghold. This targeted action reflects a commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and maintaining a proactive stance against potential threats.
Original Source: taskandpurpose.com
