i m michael smerconish in philadelphia. on friday the u.s. conducted major retaliatory airstrikes on iraq and syria, the start of what the u.s. military says likely will be larger attacks on iranian-backed militias. airstrikes hit more than 85 targets according to u.s. central command including command and control operation centers, intelligence centers, rockets and missiles and unmanned aerial vehicle storage. the move came in response to a drone strike by iran-backed militants on a u.s. military outpost in jordan on sunday. that killed three u.s. service members and wounded more than 40 others. the strikes began only about an hour after president biden attended the dignified transfer of their remains at dover air force base in delaware. officials say the timing was coincidental but symbolic of the gravity of his decision. iraqi officials say at least 16 people were killed in the strikes and condemn the attacks as, quote, a flagrant violation of iraqi sovereigty. a chief in