Thursday, September 13, 2007

Bomb Kills Founder of Anbar Salvation Council

Damn.

Iraqi police: Bomb kills top Sunni sheik cooperating with U.S. against al-Qaida in Iraq

Abdul Sattar Rishawi
Charles Dharapak / Associated Press
President Bush shakes hands with Abdul Sattar Rishawi during a meeting in Iraq last week. Rishawi was killed in an explosion near his home, Iraqi police said.
From the Associated Press
7:18 AM PDT, September 13, 2007
BAGHDAD -- The most prominent figure in a U.S.-backed revolt of Sunni sheiks against al-Qaida in Iraq was killed today by a bomb planted near his home in Anbar province, 10 days after he met with President Bush, police and tribal leaders 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.

Officials said his assassination would be a huge setback for U.S. efforts in Iraq, because it sends a message to others who are cooperating with coalition forces or thinking about cooperating against al-Qaida.

Abu Risha and two of his bodyguards were killed by a roadside bomb planted near the tribal leader's home in Ramadi, Anbar's provincial capital, said Col. Tareq Youssef, supervisor of Anbar police.
 
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