Britain has joined the U.S. in deploying troops to aid civilians besieged by Sunni militants in northern Iraq. 

According to The Times of India, Britain has deployed special forces (SAS) to "gather intelligence" in northern Iraq. 

The U.S. sent military into the region and airdropped supplies to ethnic minorities on Mount Sinjar, who fled due to persecution at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). However, the U.S. called off a rescue mission to save thousands of Yazidis, a pre-Islamic religious minority, from the mountains Thursday. 

Despite the U.S. canceling that mission, Prime Minister David Cameron said the U.K. would keep its military "assets" stationed there. Britain has also offered to fly Soviet-era ammunition from eastern Europe to Kurdish forces, who have been trying, but so far failing, to stave off ISIS. 

Cameron made the announcement after returning to London, cutting his holiday in Portugal short to chair a COBR meeting. At the meeting, it was determined that Britain would bring more ammunition and supplies to Kurds by flying in weapons from former Warsaw pact countries. 

"We do support the Kurds and we should continue to support the Kurds. In terms of the ammunition they are getting -- Britain is going to be playing a role in helping to get that to them," Cameron said. "What they want is ammunition and weapons like they have been using. That is what is being delivered to them and Britain is playing a role in helping to make sure that happens."

Cameron continued, saying the people seeking refuge in the mountains -- many of whom have died of starvation and dehydration -- must be airlifted to a "place of safety".

"I can confirm that detailed plans are now being put in place and are underway and that Britain will play a role in delivering them," Cameron said. "I think the first thing is to deal with this desperate humanitarian situation, with people who are exposed, starving, dying of thirst on this mountainside -- getting them to a place of safety."

Cameron said he may have to recall parliament to discuss the situation in Iraq. He said SAS will only be on the ground to gather intelligence and transfer aid to oppressed minorities. 

"There does seem to be some good news and that is the American-led scouting operation has found fewer people on the mountainside than expected," Cameron said. "Also we see that the UK aid drops have made a difference and have got through to people. It's good news that there are fewer people there and they are in better condition than expected."

He added that it is a complicated humanitarian mission, and that Britain must ensure that the Kurds get what they need, and that more aid is provided to refugee camps. 

"It is very difficult in an area where you have got a lot of fighting taking place, you have got a lot of people moving around," he continued. "So what you need to do is have plans that are flexible enough to respond to that situation. It is important to get the assets into place. That is why the Chinooks are there. That's why our Tornadoes are there."

The U.K. is sending in Tornado fighter jets to use their surveillance capabilities to gather "better situational awareness" to aid in humanitarian efforts. 

In addition, the U.K. is coordinating efforts at the U.N. Security Council to form an international response to ISIS threats. They have proposed disrupting ISIS's financing, sanctioning people who recruit to ISIS and encouraging countries to prevent foreign fighters from joining the Sunni militants.