Eifan Saadoun Al Issawi (1975/1976 – 15 January 2013) was an Iraqi politician who was killed in a suicide bombing attack on 15 January 2013.
Early life
Issawi was born into a Sunni family belonging to the Albu Issa tribe.[1]Rafi Al Issawi, Iraqi finance minister, is also a member of the tribe.[2][3]
Career
During the Iraq war, Issawi acted as one of the leaders of the Sahwa movement or the Awakening Council, which cooperated with the U.S. military to defeat Al-Qaeda members in Iraq.[4][5] The movement is also known as Sons of Iraq.[6]
Issawi was the head of the provincial committee of security and defense in Anbar.[7] He joined the Iraqi parliament in August 2011 as deputy for Al Anbar Governorate.[8][9] He was part of the Iraqiyya bloc to which Rafi Al Issawi also belongs.[10][11] The Iraqiyya bloc is mainly backed by Sunni Iraqis.[1] In addition, Eifan Issawi served as a member of the parliament's security and defense committee.[12]
Assassination and funeral
Issawi was assassinated by a suicide bomber in Fallujah, Anbar province, on 15 January 2013 at the age of 37.[3][10] He was on his way to participate in an anti-war demonstration in Fallujah.[11] The bomber, who disguised himself as a construction worker,[1] approached Issawi and then blew himself up, killing three bodyguards of Issawi as well.[11][13] The blast also killed three laborers[11] and injured others in the scene.[1][14]
A funeral ceremony for him was held in Fallujah on 16 January.[8] Three mourners were injured in a bombing attack at the funeral.[15]
