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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Key US Ally in Iraq Killed in Bomb Attack

Sheik opposed Al-Qaeda, helped stabilize Anbar province

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(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.

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. The most prominent figure in a revolt of Sunni sheiks against al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Risha was killed...
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 -- during a meeting with tribal leaders at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province, Iraq, in...
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 President Bush, not pictured, and tribal leaders at Al-Asad Air Base in Anbar province, Iraq, in this...
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 most prominent figure in a revolt of Sunni sheiks against al-Qaida in Iraq, Abu Risha was killed Thursday...
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)
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Profile of Abu Risha, the sheik who cut a Hollywood figure
Associated Press

Al-Qaeda had no interest in Abu Risha's death
ABC News

Death a coup for Al-Qaeda
Times (UK)

Militant Islamic website celebrates attack
Los Angeles Times

White House points to Al-Qaeda in Iraq
Associated Press


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

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