BAGHDAD, July 7 (Reuters) - Six militiamen loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr were killed in clashes with U.S. soldiers in the southern Iraqi city of Diwaniya early on Saturday, a source in his office in the city said. The source said the six Mehdi Army militiamen were killed during a pre-dawn raid by U.S. forces targeting homes of militiamen in the centre of Diwaniya, 180 km (112 miles) south of Baghdad. He said 15 Mehdi fighters were wounded. A hospital source said seven people had been killed and nine wounded. Local residents said the raid began at 2.00 a.m. and fighting lasted several hours, but had since quietened down. The U.S. military was not immediately available to comment. Clashes have also broken out in the past two days in the southern town of Samawa between the Mehdi Army and police. Initial reports put the death toll at four, but a police source in Samawa on Saturday said it had risen to seven, including three policemen. The source said 55 people had been wounded. The police source added that a truce had been agreed between the Mehdi Army and Iraq's security forces late on Friday and that it appeared to be holding. Iraq's Shi'ite dominated south has become increasingly restless as factions vie for control of the oil-rich region, often pitting police loyal to one bloc against militiamen of the another. U.S. forces are also pursuing what they call rogue elements in Sadr's Mehdi Army who are accused of bringing in weapons from neighbouring Iran.
