The US military is contemplating a move to deploy its ground troops in Iraq to fight alongside Iraqi forces to recapture Iraq's largest city Mosul from Islamic State (ISIS) militants.
An assessment of ISIS defences based on intelligence gathered, will be key to its decision.
CNN, citing a US Central Command (CENTCOM) official noted that Iraqi ground troops could attack ISIS positions in Mosul as early as April.
In recent days, the Sunni terrorist group has scaled up its defences around the city with fresh reinforcements that have been arriving into the city.
ISIS, which is currently one of the richest terrorist groups in the world, has the capability to bring in both men and equipment from large swathes of areas it had conquered last year. However, after its recent defeat in the Kurdish city of Kobani, reports claim that ISIS is currently "stretched too thin" and may not be in a position to bring in more fighters so quickly.
On the other hand, the US CENTCOM has been bombing ISIS targets so heavily that by the time the ground troops are ready to move towards Mosul, the city would have no quick reinforcement routes available.
The CENTCOM believes that the the ground troops will be in an advantageous position to re-capture Mosul.
The CENTCOM and Pentagon will advice President Barack Obama on sending ground troops based on the ISIS defences. If the defences reach a "significant" level, Obama will be recommended by the US military to send US ground troops to assist Iraqi forces to hit ISIS positions in Mosul.
Recently, Jordan also has informed that it might send its ground forces to fight ISIS. Jordan has promised to step up its role in the international coalition to fight the ISIS after the group burnt its pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh, alive.
Jordan wants to deploy special ground forces. The country has stepped up its bomb attacks on Syria, targeting ISIS locations.
