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Abu Risha: The death of the most important man in Iraq and what it means for the U.S.

Abdul Sattar Abu Risha is a name that may not be well known to many of us.  His was the leading figure in the uprising of Sunni tribes that had lead to the “success” of the recent U.S. troop surge.  Any improvement in Iraq could be tied to this man and his attempt to get the different tribes to work with the American troops.  As the main supporter of the American forces he threw out a challenge to insurgents saying

“If you want to introduce me, I am head of the Iraq Awakening Council, leader of all the Iraqi Arab Tribes. I am real. I am not a ghost. And to the terrorists, I say that I will be in Anbar in five days, and if they want to see me, I am ready for them.”

The timing of his assasination, just after he met with President Bush and just before Bush was going to talk about him as a symbol of advancement in Iraq, highlights just how little progress we have made in Iraq and how little safety and control we have bought to the region.  Abu Risha was our symbol of freedom and progress.  His death will have major ramifications for assistance to U.S. troops by Iraqis and will destroy any “progress” we have made in the region.

Hyrum Salmond