BAGHDAD, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi presidency on Wednesday strongly condemned U.S.-Saudi strikes targeting its paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), calling them an "unacceptable aggression" and a "flagrant violation of Iraq's sovereignty."
In an official statement, the presidency said that targeting official security institutions contradicts international law and the UN Charter.
Reiterating Iraq's categorical rejection of any aggression on its territory, the presidency stressed that Iraqi territory must not be used as a launching pad or an arena for attacking neighboring countries or settling regional and international scores.
It urged all concerned parties to respect Iraq's sovereignty and refrain from acts that could jeopardize the nation's security and stability, stressing the vital need to prioritize dialogue to resolve crises, de-escalate tensions, and preserve regional security.
Earlier in the day, the PMF said at least 20 of its members were killed and 32 others wounded during the U.S.-Saudi strikes across several Iraqi provinces.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command confirmed the operation in a statement, saying U.S. and Saudi forces on Tuesday carried out precision airstrikes against Iran-aligned militants in Iraq following a wave of drone attacks targeting U.S. forces and Saudi energy infrastructure.
The PMF is an Iraqi state-sponsored umbrella organization comprising dozens of paramilitary factions, and was formally integrated into the Iraqi armed forces following a campaign against the extremist Islamic State group. ■
