The leader of the Islamic State (ISIS), Makki Muslih al-Rufaji, has been killed in an airstrike in Iraq, according to officials from Washington and Baghdad. Al-Rufaji was reportedly one of the world’s “most dangerous terrorists,” as confirmed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
Al-Rufaji’s Role and Significance
Makki Muslih al-Rufaji was a prominent figure within the ISIS terror group, having held the position of the ISIS “governor” in both the Iraqi and Syrian provinces. He was also responsible for coordinating ISIS’s operations abroad. The United States had previously sanctioned him in 2023 due to his association with ISIS’s violent activities.
Iraqi Prime Minister al-Sudani described al-Rufaji as a major threat, labeling him one of the deadliest terrorists operating in the region and globally. The United States’ involvement in the operation to eliminate al-Rufaji came in coordination with both the Iraqi government and the Kurdish Regional Government.
US and Iraqi Collaboration in the Operation
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that the elimination of al-Rufaji and another ISIS terrorist was the result of careful coordination with Iraq and the Kurdish authorities. “The miserable life of this ISIS leader has ended,” Trump stated.
The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released a video showing footage of the airstrike in the Al-Anbar province, which is believed to have taken al-Rufaji’s life. According to reports, al-Rufaji was the second-in-command of ISIS worldwide, making his death a significant blow to the organization.
Continued ISIS Activity in Iraq
Though ISIS lost control over large territories in Iraq and Syria in 2017, following a defeat by Iraqi forces and a U.S.-led coalition, ISIS cells remain active in both countries. These cells continue to carry out isolated attacks, targeting Iraqi soldiers and police officers, maintaining a persistent threat despite the group’s territorial losses.
In response to this ongoing threat, about 2,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in Iraq as part of the anti-ISIS coalition. In late September 2024, the governments of Iraq and the United States agreed that the coalition’s presence in Iraq would end within a year, with plans to withdraw from the Kurdish region of northern Iraq by September 2026.
A Step Towards Stability in Iraq
The death of Makki Muslih al-Rufaji marks a key victory in the ongoing fight against ISIS, but the group’s presence in the region remains a concern. As part of the broader anti-ISIS efforts, the Iraqi government continues to focus on dismantling these terrorist cells and working with international partners to ensure long-term security.
