Alwaght- US President Barack Obama discusses more US intervention in Syria with his senior foreign policy advisers at the National Security Council (NSC) on Friday, as President Bashar Assad pledged to use recapture of the city as a "springboard" for liberation of other areas.
US officials say military options are to be mulled over, among other possibilities.
Reuters cited unnamed American officials as saying one scenario to be discussed involves direct US military action in Syria, including airstrikes on Syrian military, radar and anti-aircraft bases, as well as arms depots.
The US is angry over Syrian army advances on the northern and southern edges of the embattled Aleppo city where was divided between Syrian government and foreign backed militants since 2012 and is trying to bring these gains to a halt through pressuring Damascus and its allies, including Tehran and Moscow.
The high-ranking American officials, however, stated it was unlikely that Obama would actually give the green light to US airstrikes on Syrian government targets, or that he would make any specific decisions at the upcoming meeting.
One official noted that, as Russian and Syrian troops cooperate extensively, striking Syrian government forces could result in a direct confrontation between the US and Russia – something Obama has been trying to avoid.
The White House declined to comment on the speculation surrounding any possible decisions, but confirmed the NSC meeting will take place on Friday, Reuters reported.
US authorities have already raised the bombing of Syrian government forces as an option, with White House spokesman Josh Earnest telling reporters last week that although such action is unlikely to reduce violence, nothing can be taken off the table under the circumstances.
According to a recent report in the Washington Post, several top US officials have been considering striking positions of the Syrian military covertly and without a UN Security Council resolution.
