In Iraq, Bomb Kills U.S.-Allied Group's Leader
By The Washington Post | January 8, 2008
BAGHDAD — A suicide bomber killed the leader of an American-backed neighborhood security force in Baghdad yesterday, his aides said. The blast, along with a second explosion, killed Colonel Riyadh al-Sammarai and at least 11 other people, witnesses said. The campaign against the so-called Awakening groups began after Osama bin Laden called on Muslims late last month to attack such "dangerous conspiracies." Sammarai, about 47 years old, was recruited last year by the American military to lead the Awakening group.
