Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the German Chancellor (not in picture) give a joint press conference at the Chancellery in Berlin on Jan 13, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

BAGHDAD - Iraq rejected any attack by US forces on its territory, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani said on Saturday during a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Al-Sudani emphasized that the US airstrikes on positions of armed groups linked to the Iraqi Hashd Shaabi paramilitary forces in the Jurf al-Nasr area in the central province of Babil constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, according to a statement issued by al-Sudani's media office.

On Nov 22, US aircraft attacked positions of the Hashd Shaabi forces in the Jurf al-Nasr area, south of Baghdad, leaving eight of its fighters killed and wounding four others

"At the same time, al-Sudani reiterated the Iraqi government's commitment to protect international coalition advisors working in Iraq," the statement said.

Blinken called on the Iraqi government to protect installations hosting American personnel and to pursue those responsible for attacks on US personnel in Iraq, according to the State Department of the US.

ALSO READ: At least 10 killed in Iraq roadside bomb attack

Al-Sudani and Blinken also discussed developments in the Palestinian territories and agreed to stabilize the truce, stop attacks, and ensure that the Israel-Hamas conflict does not expand in a way that poses a real threat to security and stability in the region, the Iraqi statement added.

On Nov 22, US aircraft attacked positions of the Hashd Shaabi forces in the Jurf al-Nasr area, south of Baghdad, leaving eight of its fighters killed and wounding four others.

The US airstrikes came after the armed group "Islamic Resistance in Iraq," an umbrella body for Iranian-backed Iraqi militias, claimed responsibility for carrying out a series of rocket and drone attacks on military bases housing US-led coalition forces in Iraq and Syria.

READ MORE: Iraqi militia claims attacks on US bases in Iraq, Syria

The attacks by the armed group are believed to be part of retaliatory measures amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.

Immediately after the airstrikes, al-Sudani condemned in a statement the US airstrikes and described them as a clear violation of the coalition's mission, which is to fight the Islamic State militants on Iraqi soil.