PRT ANBAR: SATTAR'S BROTHER ASSUMES CONTROL OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 003198 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2027 TAGS: PREL PGOV PTER IZ SUBJECT: PRT ANBAR: SATTAR'S BROTHER ASSUMES CONTROL OF ANTI-AL QAIDA MOVEMENT Classified by PRT Anbar Acting Team Leader Michael Sears for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) This is a PRT Anbar reporting cable. -------------- Summary -------------- ¶2. (C) The new leader of the Anbar-based anti-insurgency movement Sahawa al-Iraq, or Awakening Council of Iraq (SAI), Ahmad Bezia Ftaykhan al-Rishawi, told poloff that his brother,s assassination would not slow efforts to expand the movement to the national stage. Former SAI leader Sattar was killed on September 13 by an explosive device. Despite the killing, SAI officials tell us they opened an office in Mosul on September 16, with plans for more offices throughout Iraq. With Sattar,s death, Ahmad has lost three brothers and his father to militants. Ahmad has gained the reputation of a diplomat, working behind the scenes to build bridges with local officials, other tribes and provinces, as well as with the GOI. It is not yet clear if Sheikh Ahmad can show the same charisma as his slain younger brother, but the key role he has played in SAI, and his reputation as a behind-the-scenes mediator, might allow the movement to continue pursuing its goal of becoming an Iraq-wide movement designed to end the insurgency and defeat AQI. End Summary. -------------- Sattar Killing Won,t Hinder Anti-AQI Movement -------------- ¶3. (C) Newly-appointed head of the Anbar-based Sahawa al-Iraq, or Awakening Council of Iraq (SAI),Sheikh Ahmad Bezia Ftaykhan al-Rishawi, told poloff on September 17 that his brother,s assassination four days before would not slow efforts to expand the anti-insurgency movement to the national stage. Sheikh Ahmad, still in mourning over his brother,s killing, said that local tribal leaders had given him their backing to lead SAI almost immediately after the assassination. He interpreted this backing, as well as additional statements of support from tribal leaders in other provinces, as support for SAI,s plans to expand. The outrage over his brother,s killing - in both Anbar Province and throughout Iraq - will backfire on Al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI),he predicted. ¶4. (C) Sattar was killed by an explosive device on September 13 near his Ramadi farm and an investigation is under way to determine the culprits. AQI is widely suspected of being responsible and has claimed credit. On September 15 Coalition Forces detained Fallah Khalifa Hiyas Fayyas al-Jumayli, also known as Abu Khamis, who is suspected of involvement in the killing. MNF-West confirmed on September 22 that Iraqi Police had arrested 25 suspects in the killing of Sattar, including the head of Sattar,s security detail, who reportedly admitted that AQI had offered him $1.5 million for his cooperation. The assassination took place on the first day of the Ramadan holiday and a day before the one-year anniversary of the founding of the Salvation Council, which later became SAI. The organization played a key role in unifying Anbar tribal leaders against AQI and the insurgency, greatly reducing the level of violence in the province. ¶5. (C) Surrounded by advisors while resting in the ceremonial chair which belonged to his brother days before, Ahmad spent much of the week at his walled compound receiving a steady stream of mourners. A U.S. M1 Abrams tank sat perched on a dirt mound at the entrance to the compound. SAI had opened an office in Mosul on September 16, Ahmad told us. He said he hoped similar offices would be opened soon throughout Iraq. -------------- Worried About His Family -------------- ¶6. (C) Ahmad takes over leadership of the 40,000-strong Abu Risha tribe as well as SAI. He is generally considered to be better educated than his slain brother, and holds a degree in history. He is one of the last surviving sons of Sheikh Sattar Bezia, who was killed by AQI in 2004. With the death of Abdul Sattar, three of Ahmad,s brothers have been killed by militants. In addition, a nephew died in the blast that killed Sattar. Ahmad has one younger surviving brother, Abdul Jabbar, 32, who has not played a significant role in SAI and is not considered to be in line for leadership of the organization. "Ahmad has decided to lead us, but he is worried about what will happen to our women and children if something happens to him," said Samir Abid Rasheed, one of Ahmad,s advisors. Ahmad has sent the rest of his immediate BAGHDAD 00003198 002 OF 002 family, including his only son, to live in Dubai. -------------- Ahmad a "Conciliatory Figure" -------------- ¶7. (C) Ahmad, 42, has been a key player in SAI since the movement,s creation in 2006. He was Sattar,s closest advisor. While Sattar served as the charismatic leader of the organization, Ahmad gained the reputation of a diplomat, working behind the scenes to build bridges with the Anbar Provincial Council (PC),other tribes and provinces, as well as with the GOI. He also worked to bridge the political gap between SAI and the Iraqi Islamic Party (IIP),which holds a majority on the Anbar PC. Anbar Governor Ma,amoun Sami Rasheed, an IIP member, called Ahmad a conciliatory figure. Ma,amoun told us the day after Sattar,s assassination that he plans to work closely with Ahmad. ¶8. (C) Some observers believe Ahmad,s reputation as Sattar,s mediator could help him avoid some of the tribal bickering that plagued his brother. SAI head of security Tariq Yusif al-Thiyabi told us that Ahmad might be able to develop a better relationship with Sheik Ali Hatem, a young Anbar sheikh of prominent lineage who resented Sattar,s position and sought to replace him as the recognized leader of the anti-AQI movement. Ahmad has a better relationship with Ali Hatem, Tariq told us, and might be able to end the dispute. Sheikhs throughout Anbar have praised Ahmad in the wake of his brother,s killing. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶9. (C) Despite the death of pro-Coalition tribal leader Abdul Sattar al-Rishawi, the anti-insurgent political movement he helped create and lead does not appear to be changing course. Sattar, Ahmad and other tribal leaders have created an institution in Anbar that can survive Sattar,s absence. It is not yet clear if Sheikh Ahmad can muster the same charisma as his slain younger brother, but the key role he has played in SAI, and his reputation as a behind-the-scenes fixer, might allow the movement to continue pursuing its goal of becoming an Iraq-wide movement to end the insurgency and defeat AQI. Sheikh Ahmad,s new leadership role in SAI could present the opportunity for the movement to overcome some of the animosity held by other sheikhs, who, while supporting the goals of SAI, resented Sattar,s rise to prominence. However, many of the platitudes heaped on Ahmad in the wake of Sattar,s killing should be seen as traditional courtesy during the mourning period, as well as recognition of Ahmad,s previous role as the political bridge builder. Now that he has assumed leadership of SAI, Ahmad might well find himself embroiled in the same tribal struggles with which his brother dealt. CROCKER