Posted on 09/13/2007 6:38:40 AM PDT by Slim Pickens
Top Sunni Sheik Working With U.S. Killed in Roadside Bombing
Thursday, September 13, 2007
BAGHDAD — The most prominent figure in a revolt of Sunni sheiks against Al Qaeda in Iraq was killed Thursday in an explosion near his home in Anbar province, Iraqi police said.
Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha was leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening — an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and U.S. forces.
Abu Risha and two of his bodyguards were killed by a roadside bomb, said Col. Tareq Youssef, supervisor of Anbar police.
No group claimed responsibility for the assassination but suspicion fell on Al Qaeda in Iraq, which U.S. officials say has suffered devastating setbacks in Anbar thanks to Abu Risha and his fellow sheiks. It's unclear how his death would affect U.S. efforts to organize Sunnis against the terror network.
Abu Risha was among a group of tribal leaders who met U.S. President George W. Bush earlier this month at al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province.
Crap!
There is a special place in hell for people who would do such things.
Oh no! He was a real leader, and a true ally.
Do not fear. I’m sure he was very aware of the dangeres to him and he most assuredly had a structure in place to continue his work if this was to pass.
Brave man.
A martyr to the Iraqi struggle for freedom from Al-Qaeda.
Killing their tribal leaders was Al-Qaedas mistake in the first place. More than anything else it were those murders that turned the Sunni tribes against Al-Qaeda. It won’t help Al-Qaedas cause on bit, except giving their Democrat lackeyes new talking points to glee about. Someone else will assume Abu Risha’s position.
Indeed. I hope they erect a statue of him in the town square for all the young ones to see and be inspired by.
Once Delta Force catches the perps who did this, I hope they turn them over to the Sheik’s tribe for tribal justice.
Sittar has a brother who will likely step up to the plate. Although, there are a lot of sheiks in Al Anbar (obviously) who will probably try to jockey for position. Hopefully someone as effective as Sittar takes over.
A bit of vanity here. I spent three or four afternoons at Sittar’s house in Ramadi last summer while my task force commander talked with him. Sittar always wore a .357 Magnum with a “State of Texas” emblem stamped on the side. He also enjoyed a nice midday lunch with us in the middle of Ramadan. He was a different kind of Iraqi for sure. The best thing we can do now is to continue to support the efforts of all Iraqis who oppose AQ in Iraq.
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