Baghdad, March 15, 2025: Iraqi security forces, with support from the US-led coalition, have killed Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, a high-ranking leader of the ISIL (ISIS) group, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced on Friday.
“The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism,” Sudani stated on X, describing Abu Khadija as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.”
Iraq had officially declared victory over ISIL in 2017 after reclaiming all territories the group had seized in 2014, which at its peak covered nearly a third of the country. However, ISIL continues to operate through sleeper cells that occasionally launch attacks.
The announcement coincided with the visit of Syria’s interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani to Iraq. Speaking alongside Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in Baghdad, al-Shaibani emphasized the need for stronger cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
“Security is a shared responsibility,” he said, pledging Syria’s readiness to enhance collaboration with Iraq in combating ISIL remnants along their shared border. He stressed that “terrorism knows no borders,” according to Iraq’s official news agency, INA.
Beyond security, al-Shaibani also discussed economic ties, highlighting that reopening border crossings would be a key step in strengthening trade between the two nations. Iraq had previously closed its frontier with Syria on security grounds following the opposition-led offensive that led to the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December.
Iraq’s relationship with Syria remains multifaceted. While Baghdad is a strategic partner of the United States, it also maintains strong ties with Iran. Some Iraqi armed groups had fought alongside Syrian forces to support Assad’s rule during Syria’s prolonged civil war, which began in 2011.
Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has sought to present a moderate stance since assuming power, was once affiliated with al-Qaeda in Iraq and fought against US forces and their allies. His leadership has introduced new dynamics in Iraq-Syria relations as both countries navigate regional security and economic cooperation.
