The leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and eight high-ranking commanders have been eliminated during an operation by the Iraqi Security Forces. This was announced by the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudaniwho described the operation as “heroic and unique.” also known by his nom de guerre Abu Abdul Qader. Iraqi authorities said the identity of the other eliminated leaders will be confirmed after DNA tests. In addition to neutralizing the commanders, Iraqi Forces seized large quantities of weapons, ammunition and equipment discovered in eight safe houses used by terrorists. Facilities were completely destroyed, including a large improvised explosive device manufacturing workshop. According to what was reported by those responsible for the joint operations, the operation is still ongoing, with the aim of eliminating the remaining terrorist cells active in the region.
The operation marks a serious blow to the Islamic State’s command structure in Iraq, which continues to be targeted by Iraqi security forces, with the support of the international Coalition. The Islamic State, after having taken control of large areas in Iraq and Syria in 2014, suffered huge defeats over the following years, until the loss in 2017 of all the most important areas conquered in the two countries. Although the Islamic State’s military capabilities have been reduced, the terrorist organization continues to pose a threat, operating at low intensity in both Iraq and Syria, according to a recently released United Nations report. To date, the activities of the Islamic State are less frequent in urban centers and are mainly limited to rural areas, where small cells are still based, often “sleeping” but which are lethal. In 2014 the Government of Baghdad formally requested international intervention to curb the caliphate. As many as 84 countries, including Italy, took part in the international Coalition «Inherent Resolve» and continue to provide support to the Iraqi military and security forces. For the authorities in Baghdad and Erbil, the Islamic State has almost been defeated, but the underlying ideology dies hard and there are many sleeper cells carrying out attacks. On social media in the region as well as in Europe, extremist ideology is still circulating, which means that the battle is not over, say local authorities, warning that “the chronic lack of work makes the unemployed an easy target and extremist ideology can easily take root and make converts.”
The frequent losses of high-ranking ISIS figures underline the pressure the group is experiencing from international coalitions and regional forces. In July 2023, then-ISIS leader Abu al-Husayn al-Hashimi al-Quraishi was killed in an assault by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a jihadist group supported by Turkey in Syria that operates in northern Syria and which has been increasingly involved in clashes with ISIS militiamen along the border between Iraq and Turkey . With the death of Jassim al-Majouri – Abu Abdul Qadir and the ongoing military offensive, Iraqi Forces hope to disrupt the operations of the Islamic State in the Hamrin region.
ISIS is just waiting for the Americans to leave Iraq in 2025
However, experts warn that without continued pressure, the group may attempt to regroup and continue guerrilla-style attacks in Iraq and Syria, and the complete withdrawal of the US contingent from Iraq planned for 2025 risks becoming a boomerang as happened in Afghanistan in 2021. According to data from the United States Central Command, published in January 2024, ISIS has around 2,500 active fighters between Iraq and Syria, of which around 1,000 are in Iraq. Speaking of Syria, according to data from the Counter Extremism Project (CEP) ISIS carried out at least 16 attacks in September in the governorates of Aleppo, Homs, Hama, Raqqa and Deir Ez Zor. These attacks killed at least 32 pro-Assad soldiers and one civilian and wounded at least 21 others. The frequency of ISIS attacks in September was more or less consistent with the number in August. However, unlike August, September’s attacks were much deadlier and overwhelmingly focused on Security Forces, with only one documented attack targeting civilians. Furthermore, the Islamic State is rebuilding its presence in Africa and South Asia, particularly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, through its affiliates, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, the Sahel Province and the Khorasan (ISKP). The latter conducted numerous violent terrorist attacks during the year in Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Russia, including a March 22 attack that killed more than 140 people at a concert hall in Moscow. Over the past three years, the ISCP has evolved from a provincial branch of the Islamic State, focused primarily on fighting the local Taliban regime, into one of the most notorious and dangerous terrorist organizations in the world. This shift towards regionalization and internationalization was largely promoted by militants Tajiks and Uzbeks, who orchestrated high-profile attacks in Iran, Türkiye and Russia between 2022 and 2024 and who want to strike Europe.
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