Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

August 28, 2008 4:36:29 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Key US Ally in Iraq Killed in Bomb Attack

Posted Sep 13, 07 11:25 AM CDT in US,  World 

(Newser) – A key US ally in the fight against Al-Qaeda was killed in a bomb attack today in Ramadi. Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, the most influential of the Sunni leaders helping American and Iraqi forces fight the terror network, met with President Bush 2 weeks ago during his visit to Anbar province, once one of the country’s most dangerous regions.

Abu Risha’s alliance of tribal sheiks combated Al-Qaeda in what US leaders tout as one of the Iraq war's biggest success stories in curbing violence. “We do not believe in sectarianism,” Abu Risha told Bush. “We want to be united and build Iraq together.” But the  alliance was starting to splinter over infighting and dissatisfaction with his leadership, Reuters reports.

Source Reuters

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Iraqi al-Qaeda Group to Track Down 'Traitors'

    Sep 15, 07 11:31 AM CDT
    Iraqi al-Qaeda Group to Track Down 'Traitors' Thursday's assassination of a Sunni tribal leader was the first in what an al-Qaeda front group warns will be the fate of all who cooperate with the US, reports the AP. The Islamic State of Iraq announced on Islamist websites that "special security committees" will track down "traitors" who support the Shiite-led government. More »

  • Sunnis Vow to Strike Back After Death of Tribal Leader

    Sep 14, 07 1:57 PM CDT
    Sunnis Vow to Strike Back After Death of Tribal Leader The killing of a prominent Iraqi tribal leader and US ally will be avenged, angry Sunnis promised today, a day after the sheik died in a bomb attack. Thousands of Iraqis joined the funeral procession for Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, shouting, “Revenge, revenge on al-Qaeda.” The assassination of the influential sheik has roiled Anbar province, the Times of London reports. More »

  • Bush Vows Modest Pullback in Wake of 'Success'

    Sep 14, 07 5:09 AM CDT
    Bush Vows Modest Pullback in Wake of 'Success' President Bush announced that 24,000 troops will return home by July 2008 in an address to the nation in which he touted advancements in Iraq. He termed the reduction "a return on success" that could be squandered by larger withdrawals. Troops could still be added, however, so the total in 2008 could end up higher than the pre-surge number in 2006, the New York Times reports. More »

  • Bush Drops In on Iraq

    Sep 3, 07 7:28 AM CDT
    Bush Drops In on Iraq President Bush landed today in Anbar Province, just west of Baghdad, for a surprise trip in advance of the September 15 status briefing on Iraq. Bush will meet with President Nouri al-Maliki, local officials and US generals including David Petraeus, CNN reports. The president was on his way to a summit in Australia when he showed up unexpectedly. More »

  • Iraq Blasts Toll Rises to 500

    Aug 16, 07 12:35 AM CDT
    Iraq Blasts Toll Rises to 500 The death toll from Tuesday's series of suicide truck bombings in northern Iraq may exceed 500, with scores more lying injured in hospitals, CNN reports. The attacks were reportedly launched by al-Qaeda against the Yazidi, a pre-Islamic sect, spotlighting the religious warfare that US troop surge sought to quell. More »

President Bush, center left, shakes hands with Sheik Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, an Iraqi tribal leader, during a meeting with tribal leaders at Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar province, Iraq, Monday, Sept. 3, 2007....   (Associated Press)
President Bush shakes hands with Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, right, leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening -- an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and U.S. forces...   (Associated Press)
Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, leader of the Anbar Salvation Council, also known as the Anbar Awakening, an alliance of clans backing the Iraqi government and U.S. forces, is pictured during his meeting with...   (Associated Press)
Sheik Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, centre, founder of Anbar Awakening, arrives for a meeting with tribal leaders in Ramadi, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Iraq, on Thursday, Aug. 16, 2007. The...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 3)

Tags

Iraq  • Iraq war  • al-Qaeda  • Sunni  • Anbar  • Ramadan  • alliance  • Abdul Sattar Abu Risha  • Ramadi


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »