US and Iraqi Authorities Announce Death of ISIS Leader

A prominent leader of the Islamic State (ISIS) has been confirmed dead following a targeted airstrike in Iraq, according to reports from both Washington and Baghdad. The individual, identified as Makki Muslih al-Rufaji, was described as one of the most dangerous terrorists operating in Iraq and globally.

On March 15, 2025, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced via social media that al-Rufaji had been killed in a military operation. He was reportedly the so-called governor of ISIS in the Iraqi and Syrian provinces and played a pivotal role in coordinating overseas operations for the terrorist group.

US President Donald Trump stated that the operation was carried out in conjunction with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish Regional Government, marking a significant step in the ongoing fight against ISIS. The US Central Command shared a video on social media, purportedly capturing the moment of the airstrike in the Al-Anbar province, further confirming al-Rufaji's status as the second-in-command of ISIS.

Although ISIS was largely defeated in Iraq in 2017, following a military campaign supported by a US-led coalition, the group still maintains active cells within the country that continue to conduct sporadic attacks against military and police forces.

The current presence of approximately 2,500 US troops in Iraq is part of the international coalition's efforts to combat ISIS. A recent agreement between the US and Iraqi governments has set a timeline for the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq by September 2026, including from the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq.

While this latest operation against ISIS leadership marks a notable achievement in the fight against terrorism in the region, challenges remain as the group continues to pose a threat to security and stability in Iraq.