Iraq’s Prime Minister announces the death of Abu Khadija, a senior ISIS leader, killed by Iraqi forces with US coalition support. This marks a significant counter-terrorism victory as Islamic State attempts to regain influence, with a noted increase in their attack claims.

Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced the death of Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, known as Abu Khadija, stating he was a prominent figure among Islamic State terrorists. This operation was executed by Iraqi security forces with the backing of the US-led coalition combating Islamic State.

Islamic State has historically enforced strict Islamist governance over vast regions in Syria and Iraq, and it has made efforts to regain its foothold across the Middle East, Western nations, and Asia. The group is regarded as a remnant following the death of its former leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who established a caliphate in 2014 before his death in 2019 during a US special forces raid.

The US Central Command reported in July that Islamic State is trying to restore its capabilities after years of weakened operations. They cited the emergence of a concerning trend, noting that the group claimed responsibility for 153 attacks across Iraq and Syria during the first half of 2024. This attack rate, if trends continue, could see them exceed the number of attacks claimed in the previous year.

The recent assassination of a key Islamic State leader underscores ongoing threats posed by the group as it attempts to regain influence in the region. Prime Minister al-Sudani highlighted the effectiveness of Iraqi forces supported by international coalitions in combating terrorism, amid rising attack incidences reported by the US Central Command. Continuous vigilance remains essential as security forces monitor and counterthese threats in Iraq and neighboring areas.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com