You are looking at the HTML representation of the XML format.
HTML is good for debugging, but is unsuitable for application use.
Specify the format parameter to change the output format.
To see the non HTML representation of the XML format, set format=xml.
See the complete documentation, or API help for more information. 
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<api>
  <query-continue>
    <backlinks blcontinue="0|Main_Page|710" />
  </query-continue>
  <query>
    <backlinks>
      <bl pageid="63" ns="0" title="IRidium Gate" />
      <bl pageid="105" ns="0" title="Description of iRidium for Crestron" />
      <bl pageid="184" ns="10" title="Template:IRidium Gate" />
      <bl pageid="243" ns="0" title="Description of iRidium for KNX" />
      <bl pageid="395" ns="0" title="Working with Equipment" />
      <bl pageid="474" ns="0" title="IRidium App" />
      <bl pageid="478" ns="10" title="Template:How it works" />
      <bl pageid="536" ns="0" title="Description of iRidium for AV &amp; Custom Systems" />
      <bl pageid="587" ns="0" title="Description of iRidium for KNX IP BAOS" />
      <bl pageid="660" ns="0" title="Description of iRidium for Modbus" />
    </backlinks>
  </query>
</api>