Hundreds of bodies of Yazidis, ethnic minority Kurds, were discovered in the north of the country, where the Islamic State fighters, formerly known as ISIS, have staged a major offensive.
The militants have driven as many as 150,000 Yazidis from their homes into the Sinjar mountains were they are cut off from food and water and struggling to survive. Hundreds are already reported to have died.
Human rights minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Islamic State fighters had also kidnapped 300 women as slaves as they advanced, leaving a bloody trail of death in their wake.
He said there was evidence the militants had buried some of their victims, including women and children alive.
An RAF plane made the first British aid drop across northern Iraq on Sunday morning delivering reusable filtration containers, tents, and solar lights which can also recharge mobile phones.
It comes after the US launched a fresh round of strikes in an attempt to stop the jihadists’ advance across the country following a warning from Barack Obama that he was ready for a protracted campaign.
The militants have been sweeping through northern Iraq, beheading and crucifying captives who refuse to be converted to Islam.
