The correct answer is: a) US Troops could safely land in North Africa since it was controlled by the Allies.
The choice to land in North Africa before launching a full-scale invasion of continental Europe was part of a strategy to secure a footing in the Mediterranean and to support Allied forces already engaged in the region. North Africa was not entirely under Allied control at the time of the decision, but it was seen as a more viable landing area compared to many parts of occupied Europe, which were heavily defended. The campaign in North Africa was aimed at taking control of the territory and pushing Axis forces out of the region before advancing into Europe.