The first plane of the Kuwaiti airlift headed for Baghdad on Wednesday, carrying 20 tons of medicines and other medical supplies, said the Kuwaiti Red Crescent.

The airlift was ordered by Emir Sheikh Sabah al Ahmed al Gaber al Sabah in solidarity with the Iraqi brothers suffering from unrest at home, the society chairman Hilal Sayer.

He expressed appreciation for the Kuwaiti emir over his support of Iraqis who are in much need of food and medicines.

He added that 200 tons of Kuwaiti food aid will be airlifted to Iraq within the coming few days.