U.S. Central Command forces announced they have conducted a precision airstrike in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, that killed the Global ISIS #2 leader.
Officials with Central Command said Emir-Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, also known as “Abu Khadijah,” chief of operations was killed in the attack led by CENTCOM and Iraqi forces. The operation also killed one other ISIS operative. Abu Khadijah was also responsible for operations, logistics and planning conducted by ISIS globally, and directed a portion of the financing for the group’s global organization, officials said.
“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.
CENTCOM released a video showing the attack, which appears to show a missile hitting a moving vehicle.
Officials said after the strike, CENTCOM and Iraqi forces moved to the strike site and confirmed the death of both ISIS operatives. Both were wearing unexploded “suicide vests” and had multiple weapons. CENTCOM identified Abu Khadijah through a DNA match collected from a previous raid, officials said.