The White House says President Barack Obama will make a decision within days about whether to send the U.S. military to rescue Iraqi refugees trapped on a mountain.
Â
Deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes says Obama is considering a range of options, including airlifts and trying to establish a safe passage down.
Â
Rhodes says Obama will receive recommendations from a Pentagon team that's gone to northern Iraq to assess the situation.
Â
Thousands of Iraqis fled to Sinjar Mountain after coming under siege from Islamic extremists.
Â
Rhodes says that while the U.S. has been able to provide food and water to the refugees, they can't sustain themselves by staying on the mountain.
Â
Rhodes says the U.S. could coordinate a rescue mission with Kurdish forces as well as allies such as Britain.   (AP)
