U.S., Iraqi Forces Assassinate ISIS Second-in-Command, Abu Khandijah

U.S. Central Command and Iraqi Forces assassinated ISIS Number 2 leader, Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, alias “Abu Khadijah,” and one other ISIS operative in an airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq on March 13.

As the Emir of ISIS’ most senior decision-making body, Abu Khadijah maintained responsibility for operations, logistics, and planning conducted by ISIS globally, and directs a significant portion of finance for the group’s global organization.

After the strike, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces moved to the strike site and found both dead ISIS terrorists. Both ISIS operatives were wearing unexploded “suicide vests” and had multiple weapons. CENTCOM and Iraqi forces were able to identify Abu Khadijah through a DNA match from DNA collected on a previous raid where Abu Khadijah narrowly escaped.

“Abu Khadijah was one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organization. We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and U.S., allied and partner personnel in the region and beyond,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander, U.S. Central Command.”