Abd Al-Sattar Abu Al-Risha, Head of the Sunni Tribal Union Fighting Al-Qaeda in Iraq: We Have Defeated Al-Qaeda in 90% of Al-Anbar Province

Following are excerpts from an interview with Abd Al-Sattar Abu Risha, head of the Sunni Iraqi Tribal Union "Sahwat Al-Anbar,", which aired on Al-Arabiya TV on June 3, 2007

Abd Al-Sattar Abu Risha: Allah willing, this is the beginning of the end for Al-Qaeda in Iraq, at the hand of the [Sunni] tribes. You may have heard the good news today. The Sunni factions have begun to fight them in Al-Ameriya, and we have completely defeated them in Al-Anbar, with the exception of the city of Al-Falluja. We entered Al-Falluja two days ago. The Second Emergency Brigade entered Al-Falluja. We taught them an important lesson in the Al-Jolan neighborhood, and in other Al-Falluja neighborhoods. We also pursued them in the provinces of Diyala and Salah Al-Din, and Allah willing, we will drive them completely out of Iraq.

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The Sunni tribes of Al-Anbar were the first to open war on Al-Qaeda. All the tribes are united - from the Bumahal tribe in Al-Husayba to the Al-Zoba' tribe fighting in Baghdad. All the tribes have formed an alliance, and they are fighting Al-Qaeda. We have defeated Al-Qaeda in over 90% of the Al-Anbar province. We have formed a legal, Iraqi army and police force, which is fighting the terrorists wherever they may be.