The Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shi’a Al -Sudani, announced today, Friday, the killing of Abdullah Makki Al -Rafie, one of the most prominent ISIS leaders in Iraq and Syria, which he described as “one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.” The Sudanese explained in an official statement that the Iraqi National Intelligence Service, in coordination with the joint operations leadership and the international coalition forces, succeeded in implementing the security operation that resulted in the killing of the terrorist Abdullah Makki Musleh Al -Rafie, “Abu Khadija”.
Serious leadership positions in the organization
Al -Sudani indicated that Al -Rafie was holding several leadership positions in the organization, as he was “the deputy of the caliph”, the official of the relevant committee, and the official of the external operations offices. He stressed that the killing of this leader is a painful blow to ISIS, which is still trying to rearrange his ranks despite the successive strikes he received from the Iraqi forces and the international coalition.
Intensify security operations to pursue ISIS remnants
In a related context, the Iraqi forces intensified their security operations to prevent the movements of ISIS operatives, especially in the governorates that were previously under the control of the organization. The Iraqi army leadership recently announced that the numbers of the remaining terrorist organization in Iraq are not more than 400, which reflects the success of military operations in reducing its existence significantly.
For his part, the head of the Security and Defense Committee in the Iraqi parliament, Karim Al -Mahmoudawi, said that the Iraqi forces are continuing to implement air and ground quality operations aimed at undermining ISIS capabilities. He added that the recent security achievement is a fatal blow to the terrorist organization, and confirms the great development in the Iraqi military and intelligence performance in pursuing and eliminating terrorist groups.
The necessity of continuing security prosecution and enhancing military capabilities
Al -Muhammadawi indicated that the elimination of this prominent leader in the organization should not push for a relaxation in pursuing the remnants of ISIS, but rather requires intensifying security operations and continuing to pressure the remains of the organization, to prevent any attempts to reorganize its ranks. He stressed that the Iraqi parliament is working to support the security and military services by increasing the financial allocations, in a way that contributes to the development of its military and intelligence capabilities, and enhances its ability to face any security threats in the future.
ISIS hiding areas and targeting its supply lines
Despite the strikes he received, some ISIS elements are still hiding in rugged areas, taking advantage of the complex geographical nature of these areas to flee security operations. The Iraqi authorities confirm that these elements are under control, and that the Iraqi warplanes are constantly targeting the supply lines that they depend on, especially in the border areas between Nineveh, Diyala, Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Anbar. Security operations are also concentrated in mountainous areas such as Wadi Zoghiton, Wadi Al -Shay, and the mountains of Sheikh Younis and Wadi Houran, which are rugged areas used by the organization as safe havens.
Strong security measures and changes in military tactics
The Iraqi Prime Minister issued directives to the security leaders of the necessity of preparing during the coming period and conducting comprehensive reviews of military plans, with a focus on changing the tactics used in areas that witness an activity of ISIS elements. He stressed the importance of following unconventional methods in the face of the organization, with the aim of weakening its capabilities, and reducing the space of its movements to the lowest extent possible.
In conclusion
This security operation is a new step in the ongoing war that Iraqi forces are fighting against ISIS, in an attempt to eliminate the remnants of the organization, and prevent them from regaining any influence within the country. Although the number of elements of the organization in Iraq has become limited, the authorities confirm that they will not tolerate the pursuit of the remaining of them, until achieving full security and folding the page of terrorism in the country.
