(Reuters) RAMADI, Iraq (Reuters) - Sunni Arab Iraqis and U.S. forces in Anbar province vowed on Friday to keep fighting al Qaeda after the assassination of a tribal leader who worked with Americans to create one of Iraq's few security success stories.
Abdul Sattar Abu Risha was killed in a bomb attack on Thursday near his home in Ramadi, provincial capital of what was once one of Iraq's most dangerous areas.
"All the tribes agreed to fight al Qaeda until the last child in Anbar," his brother, Ahmed Abu Risha, told Reuters.
An al Qaeda-led group said on Friday it was responsible for the killing of Abu Risha, according to an Internet posting. The self-styled Islamic State in Iraq called the killing of Abu Risha a "heroic operation" and vowed to assassinate more tribal leaders who cooperate with U.S. and government forces.
Its statement could not be authenticated, but it was posted on a main Islamist Web site.
"This ... is a new setback for the crusaders' plans and Bush's new strategy," the Islamic State in Iraq said, adding the operation took more than a month to prepare.
Abu Risha, who met U.S. President George W. Bush less than two weeks ago, led the Anbar Salvation Council, an alliance of Sunni Arab tribes that worked with U.S. troops to push Sunni Islamist al Qaeda out of much of the vast desert area.
Ahmed Abu Risha was named as the council's new head hours after the death of his charismatic, chain-smoking brother, who wore flowing white and gold robes as he shook hands with Bush.