Within days, the Obama administration is expected to present to Congress a new authorization to use military force, or AUMF, formalizing the U.S. fight against ISIL and laying out when, where and for how long the U.S. can fight ISIL.

The new authorization would likely give the president broad latitude to go after the militants, but the main battle in Congress will likely be over so-called “boots-on-the-ground” or U.S. forces in combat roles.

President Obama is against the use of U.S. ground troops, but critics in the U.S. Congress have disagreed.

There are currently about 3,000 U.S. troops serving in support positions in the region. A new authorization would likely clarify the role of these forces.

At the meantime, the U.S. has continued fighting ISIL, known across the Middle East as “Daesh from the air”, striking targets in Syria and Iraq, while Jordan has reportedly stationed thousands of troops along the Iraqi border and launched at least 50 airstrikes in the last few days.

The United Arab Emirates has rejoined the fight as well, launching airstrikes from Jordanian bases after suspending operations late last year over concerns about pilot safety.