Iraq update September 15, 2007

Lots more stuff on the assassination of Sheik Sattar.

From Teflon Don at Acutepolitics - A True Martyr

• His death is a grievous loss to all who long to see a free Iraq. He provided vision, determination, and stubborn perseverance in his leadership of the sons of Anbar.

From Daveed Gartenstein-Ross over at The Tank - The Iraqi Response to Abdul Sattar al-Rishawi's Death

• On Thursday, W. Thomas Smith Jr. noted the tragic death of Abdul Sattar al-Rishawi. Al-Rishawi was a critical U.S. ally who led the Anbar Salvation Front, a collection of Sunni tribesmen, Iraqi nationalists, ex-Baathists, and others who are united by the common goal of driving al-Qaeda from their country.

And, also from The Tank is W. Thomas Smith Jr. with Wasit's Shiia May Be 'Turning' Like Anbar's Sunnis

• More bad news for the anti-Petraeus crowd:

  American commanders in southern Iraq say Shiite sheiks are showing interest in joining forces with the U.S. military against extremists, in much the same way that Sunni clansmen in the western part of the country have worked with American forces against al-Qaida.

There seems to be a small disagreement about what the Sheiks death will mean, as you can see, but generally it's viewed as a very bad move by Al Qaeda which will align more Iraqi's with the coalition forces. I know what has happened in the past when tribal leaders are assassinated and it's never worked out for AQ. It's an attempt to force the tribes back in line and it always turns out making the movement against AQ much stronger. Time will tell.