Moment 'ISIS number 2' found 'wearing suicide vest' killed in Iraq airstrike

Iraqi officials and the US military confirmed that a senior  Islamic State (ISIS) leader was killed in a joint operation by the Iraqi National Intelligence Service and the US-led coalition.

Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rifa, known as "Abu Khadijah," who helmed ISIS's most crucial decision-making body, was targeted and eliminated, according to the US Central Command forces (CENTCOM).

Officials said Abu Khadijah was instrumental in global operations, logistics, planning for ISIS, and oversaw significant parts of the group's financial activities.

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General Michael E. Kurilla, CENTCOM commander, underscored the importance of the operation: "Abu Khadijah was one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organisation."

He added: "We will continue to kill terrorists and dismantle their organizations that threaten our homeland and US, allied and partner personnel in the region and beyond."

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Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani labeled Abu Khadija as among the most threatening terrorists both in Iraq and internationally.

On further note, he added: "The Iraqis continue their impressive victories over the forces of darkness and terrorism."

CENTCOM released footage showing the precise airstrike that allegedly took the life of the IS leader on Thursday, with a missile striking a moving target followed by a powerful explosion.

CENTCOM also reported finding the "ISIS number 2" leader dead alongside another IS operative, both equipped with unexploded "suicide vests" and multiple weapons.

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CENTCOM and Iraqi forces reportedly identified Abu Khadijah through a DNA match from samples obtained during a previous raid, which he narrowly escaped.

President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform: "His miserable life was terminated, along with another member of ISIS, in coordination with the Iraqi Government and the Kurdish Regional Government. PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!"

ISIS, also known as the "caliphate," once ruled over 88,000 square kilometers (34,000 square miles) of territory, stretching from north-eastern Syria across northern Iraq, imposing its harsh rule on nearly eight million people.

Iraq declared victory over ISIS in December 2017, and by 2019, the group had lost its last stronghold. However, it continues to operate as a loose terror network, sporadically launching attacks on Iraq's army and police forces.

The news comes as Syria's interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visited Iraq, stating that his government is prepared to cooperate in combating the remnants of IS.

However, some US officials warn that the instability following the collapse of former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad's regime may allow ISIS to expand.