Hazem al-Aaraji, who is also an outspoken anti-U.S. cleric, was detained in the conference hall of the Sheraton Hotel during a meeting of tribal leaders. His bodyguards tried to prevent the arrest, but stepped aside when confronted by the soldiers.
Troops put al-Aaraji and an associate in a Bradley fighting vehicle and drove him away.
U.S. forces have been battling al-Sadr’s militia since April 4 and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
