The US military has called on the Iraqi government to take measures to protect its forces in Iraq and Syria following failed attacks by Iranian allies in recent days.

"These attacks pose a threat to coalition members and Iraqis, so we call on the Iraqi government to take all necessary steps to protect US forces in Iraq and Syria against attacks by these groups," Pentagon spokesman General Patrick Ryder told Reuters.

He said if the attacks continue, they will not hesitate to defend their forces as they have done in the past.

Iraqi armed groups have launched two attacks on coalition forces in Syria and Iraq in recent days, the beginning of the resumption of attacks against US and coalition forces since late December.