Riyadh says its targeted attacks were done in coordination with the US military.Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) said eight of its members were killed in joint Saudi-US strikes on its sites across Iraq, and four others were wounded.Saudi Arabia and the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said early Wednesday that joint air strikes targeted Iran-backed militias in Iraq responsible for attacks on American troops and Saudi energy insfrastructure.The Saudi Ministry of Defence said in a statement the strikes 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…. launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iran-aligned terrorist militias”.“The Kingdom emphasises that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces.”In a statement, the PMF – which is an umbrella group for Iraqi militias backed, trained and loyal to Iran, said the attacks represent a “highly dangerous escalation” and a violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and official security institutions.The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a self-proclaimed resistance armed group backed by Iran, denied any role in the attacks on Saudi Arabia. It said Saudi claims were “fabrications” and that “any foolish Saudi action will be met with a harsh response”.The issue of the PMF has always been a contentious one between the Iraqi government and the US and other neighbouring countries. Under Iraqi law, the PMF is part of the country’s security forces and reports directly to the commander-in- chief who is also the prime minister. Previous Iraqi government failed to rein in the power of these armed groups who at times strike US embassy in Baghdad and bases across Iraq at will and refuse government or military orders.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.