Five members of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces were killed and two others were injured today (Wednesday) as a result of a strike carried out by an American drone on a PMF headquarters south of the capital, Baghdad.

A source in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior told Xinhua News Agency, "An American drone carried out a strike this morning on a building belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces in the Jurf al-Sakhar area, south of the capital, Baghdad."

The source, who requested to remain anonymous, added that the strike led to “the killing of five members of the Popular Mobilization Forces and the wounding of two.”

The Iraqi government condemned the strike, saying, "We strongly condemn the attack that targeted the Jurf al-Nasr area, which took place without the knowledge of the Iraqi government agencies, which is a clear violation of sovereignty and an attempt to disrupt the stable internal security situation."

It confirmed in a statement that it is “exclusively concerned with implementing the law and holding violators accountable,” stressing that this is its “exclusive right,” and that no external party has the right to perform this role on its behalf, which is unacceptable according to Iraqi constitutional sovereignty and international law.

It added, "We confirm that the presence of the international coalition in Iraq is supportive of the work of our armed forces through training, rehabilitation, and counseling, and that what happened is a clear violation of the mission for which the members of the international coalition are present to fight ISIS on Iraqi soil."

The Iraqi government called on the international coalition not to act unilaterally, and to adhere to Iraq's sovereignty, stressing that it is the body constitutionally responsible for drawing up and implementing state policies, maintaining order and stability, and defending internal security.

It continued, "Any armed action or activity committed from outside the military institution is considered a condemnable act and an outlaw activity that exposes the supreme national interest to danger. Any armed elements or others who do not adhere to this principle are working against the supreme national interest, and the government will take necessary measures to defend Iraq's supreme interests."

The Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, ordered all the armed forces and all security services to carry out their duties, implement and enforce the law, and not allow any party to disrupt or harm the country’s security and stability, according to the statement.

On a related level, Hadi Al-Amiri, head of the Badr Organization, which is affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces, called for the necessity of removing American forces and all international coalition forces from Iraq immediately.

Al-Amiri said in a statement condemning the strikes, "Their (coalition forces) remaining will lead to more Iraqi bloodshed and cause confusion to the security situation."

The US Central Command said in a statement that US forces carried out “separate and precise” strikes this morning against two facilities in Iraq.

It added, "The strikes were a direct response to attacks against the United States and coalition forces by Iran and its associated groups, including those that occurred in Iraq yesterday, which included the use of short-range ballistic missiles."

Iraqi factions calling themselves the Islamic Resistance in Iraq are launching attacks on Iraqi military bases where American forces from the international coalition are present as advisors and trainers, with missiles, drones and mortar shells after the outbreak of fighting between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel in the Gaza Strip and its environs Since last October.

For several weeks, these factions have also launched numerous attacks with missiles and drones on US forces’ bases in Syria.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, during his visit to Baghdad on November 5, to commit to protecting facilities hosting Americans and holding those responsible for the attacks accountable.