The Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) said eight of its members were killed and four others wounded in joint Saudi-US strikes on its headquarters across Iraq.
Saudi Arabia earlier said it had carried out targeted strikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq in coordination with the US Central Command (CENTCOM), according to a statement from the Saudi Ministry of Defence.
The ministry said the strikes were launched early on Wednesday in response to recent drone attacks, reports Al Jazeera.
It said Saudi air defences had intercepted and destroyed several drones targeting petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions. The drones were launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-aligned armed groups, according to the statement.
“The Kingdom emphasises that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces,” the ministry said.
The PMF described the attacks as a “highly dangerous escalation” and a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and official security institutions.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, days after ordering Iraqi security agencies to investigate the drone attacks on the kingdom.
“Iraq is committed to preventing Iraqi territory from being used as a route or launching point for any attack targeting brotherly or friendly countries,” the Iraqi military said in a statement on Monday.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, denied involvement in the attacks.
It called the Saudi allegations “fabrications” and warned that “any foolish Saudi action will be met with a harsh response”.
