Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

US Nabs Sunni Sheik's Assassin

Al-Qaeda operative linked to murder of key American ally

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 17, 2007 2:58 AM CDT

(Newser) – An al-Qaeda operative suspected of murdering a key American ally in Iraq was captured yesterday by the US military. The suspect organized car and suicide bombings targeting tribal leaders in Anbar province, including the blast last that killed Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, a Sunni leader and major enemy of al-Qaeda, according to officials.

An al-Qaeda affiliate calling itself the Islamic State of Iraq claimed responsibility for Abu Risha’s death on Friday, promising a bloody Ramadan for Sunnis who supported the US. That prophesy came true as sectarian violence claimed 22 lives, including nine killed in an attack on a US State Department motorcade.

IRAQ-UNREST-ANBAR-SHEIKH
IRAQ-UNREST-ANBAR-SHEIKH   (Getty Images)
Map locates the village of Abu Risha, Iraq, where a U.S. ally was killed near his home; 1c x 3 1/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 79.4 mm
Map locates the village of Abu Risha, Iraq, where a U.S. ally was killed near his home; 1c x 3 1/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 79.4 mm   (Associated Press)
Sheih Efan weeps over the coffin of Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, founder of Anbar Awakening, in Iraq's Anbar province in the provincial capital of Ramadi, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Friday, Sept. 14, 2007. The most prominent figure in a revolt of Sunni sheiks against al-Qaida in...
Sheih Efan weeps over the coffin of Sheik Abdul Sattar Abu Risha, founder of Anbar Awakening, in Iraq's Anbar province in the provincial capital of Ramadi, 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Baghdad, Friday,...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Wave of Bombings Targets Iraq's Shiites, Killing 72

29 Dead in Iraq Mosque Bombing

Cleric Journeys From al-Qaeda to US Ally

6 Dead in 4th Day of Baghdad Bombings

Holiday Blasts Kill 19 Iraqis Near Shia Sites


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne