Kuwait City: Kuwait said on Sunday it is sending urgent humanitarian aid to thousands of Iraqis who have been displaced by ongoing fighting in the neighbouring Arab country.

“The council of ministers decided to send urgent humanitarian aid to Iraqis who have been displaced as a result of deteriorating security situation,” the cabinet said in a statement.

The statement said the aid would be distributed through the United Nations. It did not specify the amount of aid.

International organisations have urged the establishment of humanitarian corridors to provide aid amid the fighting, with 1.2 million people having been displaced by unrest this year in Iraq.

Fighting is raging in Iraq following a lightning offensive this month by jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) and other militants that has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced tens of thousands.