Iraqi forces, supported by a U.S.-led coalition, have killed IS leader Abu Khadija, seen as one of the world’s most dangerous terrorists. The Islamic State continues to attempt regaining power, shown by rising attacks. After its caliphate’s collapse, IS has shifted to guerrilla tactics and expanded its foothold in Africa. Highlights include IS-Khorasan’s resurgence under new leadership and ongoing regional threats.
Iraqi security forces, aided by the U.S.-led coalition, have successfully eliminated Abu Khadija, the leader of the Islamic State (IS) group in Iraq and Syria, as confirmed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. This operation highlights the ongoing fight against one of the world’s most threatening terrorist figures, acknowledged as profoundly dangerous.
Since its peak, when IS declared a “caliphate” in 2014 and governed extensive areas, it has been attempting to regain strength across the Middle East. This resurgence has been noted by the U.S. Central Command, referencing a report of 153 attacks related to IS during the first half of 2024, indicating an alarming capability to organize assaults in Iraq and Syria.
From 2014 to 2017, IS enforced strict Islamist rule over significant territories, brutalizing opponents. Following a comprehensive military response, the IS caliphate crumbled. The current leader, Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, remains largely obscure. IS now operates through decentralized guerrilla tactics with scattered cells.
Dissolved strongholds have prompted many IS fighters to relocate to remote regions in Iraq and Syria while others have joined the IS Khorasan affiliate (ISIS-K), which has emerged as a formidable faction under 29-year-old Sanaullah Ghafari. This branch has been responsible for extending operational reach beyond Afghanistan’s borders.
IS, known variably as ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh, persists beyond the Middle East by spreading into various African regions, where it continues to increase its influence, thus posing a larger global security challenge.
The elimination of Abu Khadija marks a significant blow to the operations of the Islamic State amid its ongoing attempts to regain dominance. The group’s evolution towards guerrilla warfare reflects a shift in strategy, indicating resilience despite territorial losses. International vigilance remains critical as IS seeks to expand its influence in new regions, particularly Africa.
Original Source: news.abplive.com
