Iraqi Ally to the U.S. Killed in Bombing; Supporters Vow Revenge

By Anastacia Mott Austin

Sheikh Abdul Sittar Bezea al-Rishawi, 36, better known by the shorter name Abu Risha, was killed in Iraq this week. The car he was traveling in was blown up, though sources are divided as to whether the explosion that killed him was caused by a roadside bomb or a suicide bomber.

A powerful ally for the United States, Abu Risha had joined with U.S. military forces to help drive al-Qaeda from what was once one of the most dangerous provinces of Iraq. With Abu Risha’s help, the Anbar province is now one of the safest areas in Iraq, say his supporters.

Abu Risha created the Anbar Awakening Conference over a year ago, and had received the blessing of the United States, meeting with President Bush just two weeks ago.

"It is a national disaster," said Iraqi national security advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, to reporters. "What [Abu Risha] did for Iraq, no single man has done in the country’s history."

Over 1500 mourners took part in the six-mile funeral procession or attended the funeral of Abu Risha.

Sunni Arabs have sworn to avenge his death, shouting "We will take our revenge!" and "Al-Qaeda is the enemy of Allah!" according to reporters attending.

Abu Risha’s brother Ahmed Abu Risha has taken over as the leader of the Anbar Awakening Alliance. "We blame al-Qaeda and we are going to continue our fight and avenge his death," he said to reporters.

Though al-Qaeda has not officially claimed responsibility for the bombing, statements on extremist Islamic websites were jubilant at Abu Risha’s death. "The apostate Abdul Sittar al-Rishawi, one of the biggest pigs of the Christian crusade, has been killed by the lions of Islamic unity," said one of the sites. "This is the beginning of the end of the Anbar Awakening Conference. Abu Risha wanted to drive al-Qaeda out of Anbar. But al-Qaeda drove him not just from Anbar, but from the world itself."

The death of Abu Risha comes as a blow to the United States military efforts, and to President Bush’s claims that improvements have been made in Iraq, as the Anbar province success was one of the chief accomplishments pointed out by the President when claiming progress in Iraq.

But Ahmed Abu Risha asserts that the fight is long from over. "All the tribes agreed to fight al-Qaeda until the last child in Anbar," he told the press.

Iraqi prime minister Nouri al-Maliki also vows to give continued support to the Anbar Awakening Conference, as well as to the Anbar province in general.

"We will support Anbar much more than before," said Maliki’s national security advisor Muwaffaq al-Rubaie, to reporters. "Abu Risha is a national hero."