The Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) armed group says eight of its members were killed in joint Saudi-US strikes on its headquarters across Iraq, and four others were wounded, according to a statement released on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia said earlier it carried out targeted strikes against Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq, in coordination with US Central Command (CENTCOM), according to a statement released by the Saudi Ministry of Defence.

The statement said the strikes early on Wednesday were “in response to recent drone attacks” and that Saudi air defences had “intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh regions. These drones were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iran-aligned terrorist militias,” the ministry added.

“The Kingdom emphasizes that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces,” it concluded.

In a statement, the PMF said the attacks represent a “highly dangerous escalation” and a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and official security institutions; the group also condemned the strikes as a challenge to Iraqi authority and an affront to the nation’s security.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, days after he ordered Iraqi security agencies to investigate the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. Al-Zaidi has repeatedly emphasized Iraq’s commitment to regional stability and cooperation with its neighbors.

“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 groups, denied any role in the attacks, while the group described Saudi claims as “fabrications” and warned that “any foolish Saudi action will be met with a harsh response.”