The leader of the self-proclaimed “Islamic State” (IS) in Iraq and Syria has been killed in an operation conducted by Iraqi intelligence in collaboration with US-led coalition troops, according to Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. Al-Sudani lauded the Iraqi National Intelligence Service’s success in eliminating the IS terrorist named Abdullah Maki Musleh al-Rifai, alias (Abu Khadija).

US President Donald Trump also confirmed the kill on his social media platform Truth Social, noting that the target was relentlessly pursued by American forces and eliminated in coordination with both the Iraqi and Kurdish Regional governments. The President hailed the operation as an example of “Peace through Strength.”

Details of the operation were scarce from both Iraqi and American government sources, but The Associated Press reported it was executed through an airstrike in western Iraq’s Anbar province, based on information from a security official.

The Iraqi Prime Minister’s announcement came during a visit from Syria’s interim foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, marking the first such visit since the Assad regime’s fall in December. Discussions during the meeting centered on political stability and security in both countries, with both sides committing to efforts against ISIS.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Fouad Hussein elaborated at a news conference, revealing in-depth discussions about ISIS activities along the Syrian-Iraqi border and within both nations. He also pointed to a newly established operations room involving Syria, Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon aimed at countering IS, which is expected to start its operations soon.

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Source: https://www.dw.com/en/islamic-state-head-in-iraq-and-syria-killed-in-strike/a-71929211?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf