Abdul Sattar Abu Risha

Abdul Sattar Abu Risha was the leader of the Dulaim Tribe, the preeminent tribe in Iraq. Abu Risha was unified fellow Sunni sheikhs by forming the Anbar Awakening Council. He persuaded council members to cease hostilities with the U.S. Army, and instead pursue Al Qaeda forces in the country. Abu Risha was assassinated in September, 2007.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Abdul Sattar Abu Risha
2. Also known as: Sheikh Abd Sattar Al-Rishawi Al-Dulaimi, Abdul Sattar Buzaigh Hisham al-Rishawi, and Sheikh Sittar
3. Born: 1972
4. Few details are known about his early life
5. Established the Anbar Awakening Council
6. Opposed to the Al Qaeda presence in Iraq
7. Assassinated: September 13, 2007 in Ramadi, Iraq
8. No groups have claimed responsibility for his death

Assassination

Abu Risha was assassinated by an explosive device on September 13, 2007. Although 25 people were arrested in connection to the assassination—including Abu Risha's chief of security¹—no group has claimed responsibility.

Quotes

• "We did not support the US forces or anyone else - We fought on behalf of our people and defeated al-Qaeda."² -Abu Risha
• "We will continue to defend Iraq and we will continue to raise the flag of Allahu Akbar (God is the greatest), and we will enter Baghdad. We are not interested in the post of minister, prime minister, or president of the republic."² -Abu Risha

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