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Joint Iraqi-US Operation Kills IS No. 2 Leader

  • #Iraq
  • #Military
  • #Terrorism
  • #United States of America
Joint Iraqi-US Operation Kills IS No. 2 Leader
story
MAR 16
Above: A screen capture from a video shows the US-Iraqi precision airstrike that killed the Global IS second leader, Emir Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifai, alias "Abu Khadija," in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar on March 13, 2025. Image copyright: CENTCOM/Anadolu via Getty Images
story last updated MAR 17

The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

The fact that a top IS leader has been neutralized in a joint US-Iraqi airstrike stresses that America can rely exclusively on such operations to fight the remnants of the IS in Iraq and Syria. US troops have spent more than a decade with boots on the ground in Syria, now it's time for them to withdraw.

Responsible Statecraft

Pro-establishment narrative

While this operation has dealt a huge blow to IS, the group is far from being destroyed for good — and US pressure on the ground is key to protect hard-earned gains and prevent IS from reconstituting. If US troops leave Syria, the group would be left unchecked and could resurge.

Critical Threats

Metaculus Prediction


Public Figures

Donald Trump


The Controversies


UNLIKELYLIKELY
Status:Open
Will the Islamic State Return to Syria?
Controversy
MAR 17MAR 17

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

Senior Islamic State leader killed in Iraq, Trump says his 'miserable life was terminated'
FOX NewsMAR 27
Iraq says ‘dangerous’ ISIL leader Abu Khadija killed
Al JazeeraMAR 27
US and Iraqi forces kill ISIS chief of global operations, officials say
CNNMAR 27
ISIS second-in-command killed in U.S. airstrike with Iraqi aid
AxiosMAR 27
US CENTCOM Releases Footage Of Precision Airstrike That Killed ISIS Chief Of Global Operations
ForbesMAR 27