Washington, February 9 (RHC)-- The United States may deploy ground troops to Iraq where the country's forces are planning for operations against the ISIS-held city of Mosul as soon as April, a U.S. official says.

The U.S. Central Command official told CNN on Saturday that the U.S. military was considering a recommendation for ground troops to help Iraqi soldiers fight against the Islamist group holding parts of the country, including the major city of Mosul.

He added that as soon as April the Iraqi forces would make their fist move against militants in the city, some 400 kilometers north of the capital Baghdad. The Iraqi forces may need U.S. help in locating military targets If ISIS defenses reach a significant level, he said.

ISIS terrorists have been engaged in crimes against humanity in the areas under their grip in Iraq and Syria. They have terrorized and killed people of all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Yazidis, and Christians.

Washington says it is striking ISIS positions in both Iraq and Syria, but there is skepticism on both sides of the border about the real objective of the airstrikes.