Iraq: ISIS Foreign Operations Chief Killed

Iraq. Ucciso il responsabile delle operazioni estere dell’ISIS

Translated by Irene Cecchi

On the night of March 15th 2025, in the al-Anbar province of western Iraq, the echo of an explosion pierced the silent night. A precision airstrike carried out by the U.S.-led international coalition ended the life of Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Roufayi, also known as Abu Khadija, a prominent ISIS figure and mastermind of the group’s "foreign operations." The announcement by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani shocked the world but what does this operation truly mean for Iraq and the global fight against terrorism?

Abu Khadija was no ordinary fighter. He embodied the new generation of jihadists — capable of combining battlefield militancy with the strategic planning of global attacks. As “Deputy Caliph” within ISIS, he played a key role in the organization’s command structure, responsible for planning attacks targeting global objectives. His elimination is a significant success but it also raises crucial questions: how resilient is ISIS, and how will it adapt to changing geopolitical conditions?

To fully grasp the significance of the operation that led to Abu Khadija’s death, one must trace the evolution of global jihadism, especially the rise of the Islamic State.

ISIS, formed in 2006 from the remnants of Al-Qaeda in Iraq, has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to exploit the weaknesses of Middle Eastern countries to establish its territorial and ideological dominance. Its radical ideology, based on an extremist interpretation of Islam, attracted fighters from all around the globe, creating a truly transnational phenomenon.

ISIS's roots lie in the insurgency that followed the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003: in that socially fragmented and politically unstable context, Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) emerged, led by Jordanian jihadist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, notorious for his brutality. AQI became infamous for its indiscriminate violence targeting not only U.S. forces but also Shia civilians, fueling a spiral of sectarian violence that devastated the country.

In 2006, al-Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike but the group survived and reorganized under the name Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), continuing terrorist operations even after the U.S. troop withdrawal in December 2011.

In 2010, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi took the lead of ISI, steering its evolution decisively. Al-Baghdadi was a charismatic and ruthless leader who was able to attract foreign fighters and exploit the instability caused by the in Iraq politic and the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

During the Arab Spring uprisings that erupted across the Mediterranean region starting in January 2011, Al-Qaeda infiltrated Syria, forming a branch called Jabhat al-Nusra, which quickly became a major force against the Assad regime. However, in 2013 tensions arose between al-Baghdadi and Al-Qaeda’s leadership that led to a direct clash and a subsequent revendication by Al-Baghdadi over al-Nusra: on April 9th 2013, he announced the merger of ISI and al-Nusra, declaring the formation of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

By 2014, ISIS had entrenched itself in Iraqi and Syrian territories, conquering several cities — most notably Mosul, which became the ISIS capital. On June 29th 2014, al-Baghdadi declared from Mosul's mosque the establishment of the Islamic State (IS), or Caliphate — an entity intended to govern the global Muslim community.

The U.S. response was swift: in August 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve began, aiming to dismantle ISIS from its conquered territories.

In 2019, Mosul was finally liberated and after years of fierce fighting, ISIS lost its territorial caliphate.

After its military defeat, ISIS turned into a decentralized network of operational cells capable of acting autonomously and launching “hybrid attacks” against civilians or soldiers, combining guerrilla warfare, terrorism and online propaganda.

Indeed, ISIS has not only carried out numerous military operations as part of its hybrid warfare strategy but has also become a global media phenomenon due to its sophisticated propaganda. Thousands of foreign fighters joined ISIS ranks to support its ideology and help militarily restore the Caliphate.

Furthermore, through oil sales, art smuggling and kidnappings, ISIS funded itself for years, becoming one of the wealthiest and most powerful terrorist organizations in history.

Today, Iraq faces enormous challenges after years of war and instability. The presence of armed militias — often tied to competing political and religious interests — endemic corruption that undermines people’s trust in the institutions and sectarian tensions between ethnic and religious communities, continue to threaten the country's stability. However, the current Iraqi government, led by Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, appears determined to chart a new course. The Prime Minister has launched an ambitious reform agenda aimed at strengthening security, promoting national reconciliation and revitalizing the economy.

Therefore, the elimination of Abu Khadija represents an opportunity to intensify the fight against ISIS and consolidate Iraq’s security but it is essential to address the root causes of jihadism such as social marginalization, lack of economic opportunities and youth unemployment, all of which are exploited by ISIS for recruitment.

The operation may also have cross-border implications, given Abu Khadija’s central role in coordinating ISIS operations in the region — particularly in Syria, where the group maintains a significant presence – and his death could deal a blow to ISIS’s ability to plan and execute complex attacks.

In conclusion, while the killing of Abu Khadija is a significant tactical victory in the fight against terrorism, it highlights the enduring threat of ISIS and the need for a global, holistic strategy to combat jihadism. Only through strengthened international cooperation and a long-term commitment to addressing the root causes of terrorism and promoting regional stability can the jihadist threat be fully eradicated, paving the way for a peaceful and prosperous future for Iraq and the broader region.

Mondo Internazionale APS - Riproduzione Riservata ®2025