US, Iraqi forces detain aide of Shiite radical leader

KUT, Iraq (AFP) - US and Iraqi forces arrested Shiite radical leader Moqtada al-Sadr's representative in the central city of Kut and seven of his guards, a security official and a Sadr spokesman has said.

Sheikh Yahya Ahmed al-Khafaji, the head of Sadr's movement in Kut, 175 kilometres (110 miles) southeast of Baghdad, was seized in an early morning swoop on his office, an Iraqi security official said on condition of anonymity.

A Sadr spokesman in Baghdad confirmed the raid.

"We have information that US and Iraqi forces arrested the chief of our office in Kut and his seven guards early today. They also took away office equipment such as computers and other papers," said Sheikh Saleh Hassan Saturday.

He said the Sadr group was planning a protest in front of the provincial governor's office in Kut to demand their release.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061209/wl_mideast_afp/iraqunrestshiitesadr_061209093748

and a danger to Americans in Iraq. But screwing with him or his henchmen is really stupid. This is one of those damned if you do, damned if you don't things. If we kill him, all hell breaks loose. If we screw with him, he causes all hell to break loose.

Is this what's meant by 'a rock and a hard place'?