BAGHDAD, April 4 (Xinhuanet) -- The US forces' death toll in Iraq has risen to 610 with seven US soldiers killed Sunday during clashes with Shiite militiamen, known as the Mehdi Army, in the Sadr City near Baghdad.

    The clashes erupted after the Shiite militiamen loyal to ShiiteMuslim cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took control of police stations and government buildings in the Sadr City, the US military said in a statement, adding the militia engaged coalition forces and Iraqi security forces with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.

    "Coalition forces and Iraqi security forces prevented this effort and reestablished security in Baghdad at the cost of seven US soldiers killed and more than two dozen wounded," it added.

    The deaths brought to 610 the number of US soldiers killed in Iraq since the US-led war against Iraq broke out last March.

    Among them, 419 soldiers were killed in combat and attacks against US troops and 191 died in non-combat circumstances, such as accidents, friendly fire and suicide.

    British forces have suffered a death toll of 58, with 20 solders killed in combat and 38 in non-combat situations.

    The death toll of troops from other nations stood at 43. Enditem