Iraq Confirms Killing of ISIS Deputy Caliph

The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, announced that Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as Abu Khadija, a high-ranking leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, was killed in a joint operation by Iraqi national intelligence and U.S.-led coalition forces via airstrike in Anbar province. This marks a significant victory against IS, which has been attempting a resurgence following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad. Abu Khadija, who served as the 'deputy caliph' of the militant group, was considered one of the most dangerous terrorists globally. The U.S. and Iraq had previously agreed to wind down the American-led coalition's military mission in Iraq by 2025, but recent developments have raised concerns about IS's potential comeback. The operation reflects ongoing efforts to prevent IS from reconstituting and highlights Iraq's evolving security dynamics post-Assad's regime. Despite these security challenges, economic growth in the Middle East continues, with companies like Mercer's wealth division planning to significantly increase their assets under management in the region.