US, Iraqi forces hold a top aide of Sadr's The government complained that it had not been consulted

"There was no coordination with the Iraqi political leadership, and this arrest was not part of the new security plan," Sadiq al-Rikabi, the Maliki adviser, told Al-Arabiya television. "Coordination with the Iraqi political leadership is needed before conducting such operations that draw popular reactions."

In an interview with an Italian newspaper, Sadr said the U.S.-Iraqi security crackdown already had begun. And he confirmed reports that 400 Mahdi Army fighters had been arrested.

The La Repubblica interviewer quoted Sadr as saying he feared for his life and stayed on the move constantly. Sadr said his militias would not fight back immediately because Islam forbids killing during the Muslim holy month of Muharram, which started yesterday for Sunnis and today for Shiites.

"Let them kill us," he was quoted as saying. "For a true believer there is no better moment than this to die: Heaven is ensured. After Muharram, we'll see."

LinkHere