Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Joint US-Saudi airstrikes targeted several bases of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) on Wednesday, killing at least eight personnel.

The airstrikes heavily impacted PMF headquarters in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh, with additional explosions reported at bases in southern Iraq.

The PMF said in a statement that the military operation represents a dangerous escalation and a clear violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi launched an investigation, arguing that Iraqi land should not be used to launch attacks against neighboring countries.

Al-Zaidi also called for an emergency meeting of the Ministerial Council for National Security on Wednesday in response to security developments.

A detailed statement of the decisions made will be released following the meeting.

The US-Saudi airstrikes against the PMF were carried out in response to a wave of more than 30 drone and missile assaults against US military personnel and Saudi energy facilities.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) declared that the operation was a direct response to drone assaults against US interests in the region.