BBC Online :A British military aircraft has made the first drop of UK humanitarian aid in northern Iraq.The Ministry of Defence said the plane had carried out its mission overnight.The focus of the aid effort is to help thousands of members of the Yazidi religious minority, who are trapped on a mountain after fleeing from Islamist militants.Downing Street said on Saturday the UK would work with the US to try to “avert a genocide” there.Parallel to the aid effort, US planes have been carrying out air strikes against fighters from the Islamic State (IS), which has been attacking Yazidi areas.The militant Islamist group, formerly known as Isis or Isil, has seized swathes of territory across Iraq and Syria in the past few months and has threatened Iraqi minority groups.Inclusive governmentTwo British C130 cargo planes are delivering the aid to those who have fled from IS’s advance.Defence officials said one plane had dropped supplies that included reusable water filtration containers, tents and solar lights that doubled as mobile phone chargers.International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “The world has been shocked by the plight of the Yazidi community. They face appalling conditions, cut off on Mount Sinjar after fleeing persecution.”The UK has acted swiftly to get life-saving help to those affected.”
