A decision is not “imminent,” the official said, as Defense Department leaders are waiting on a formal request for the additional forces.
If one came, it seems likely the U.S. Central Command would send more troops to help secure the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad as well as other American facilities, including those at the airport.
There are already several hundred American troops in Baghdad protecting the embassy and the airport, defense officials have said, as well as Boeing-built AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, small remotely operated aircraft and other weapons.
Other U.S. forces are in Erbil to help advise the Iraqi military.
NJF/NJF