At least 5 Iraqi militiamen were killed yesterday after the US military conducted airstrikes on “facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups” on the Syrian border. The attacks were “defensive”, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said, after drone attacks targeted US troops in Iraq. “The United States took necessary, appropriate, and deliberate action designed to limit the risk of escalation – but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message,” he said. Since Iranian General Qasem Soleimani was killed in Iraq by US forces last year, drone strikes targeting US bases in the region have escalated. It’s the 2nd strike ordered by US President Joe Biden since he came to office. Reports say he’s talked to Iran about keeping things cool.