Did Trump kill ISIS leader Abu Khadija? Social media erupts in debate over 'credit-taking'

As President Donald Trump took credit for the elimination of a senior ISIS terrorist leader, who was killed in a coordinated operation involving US and Iraqi forces, a debate erupted on social media

Abdullah Makki Muslih al-Rufayi, also known as Abu Khadija, was killed in an operation by Iraqi security forces on Friday, announced Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

He was the head of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and was considered "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world."

On his Truth Social platform Friday night, US President Donald Trump said, "Today the fugitive leader of ISIS in Iraq was killed. He was relentlessly hunted down by our intrepid warfighters" in coordination with the Iraqi government and the Kurdish regional government. "PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH!" Trump posted.

🇺🇸CAUGHT ON VIDEO: President Trump Terminates ISIS Leader in Targeted Strike pic.twitter.com/2tr5QQOGEk

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 15, 2025

However, a few social media users were miffed with Trump claiming credit for killing Abu Khadija, while others supported him.

"C'mon. Use better language. He may have 'authorized' it or 'ordered' it. But HE did not do it. Give credit where it's due — to the armed forces who had the expertise to carry it out. Stuff like this irritates veterans. This tweet obviously written by someone who never served," commented one.

Another wrote, "He's taking responsibility for it instead of them hunting our soldiers down."

"HE ORDERED it. That's where the credit goes," commented another user.