Australian forces could be involved in a humanitarian mission to Iraq within days, its aim to provide food and water to thousands of refugees stranded in the north of the country.

The US asked for Australia's help at the weekend and Australia is now waiting for it to give the ''green light'' to the mission.

Tension: Kurdish fighters react to airstrikes targeting Islamic militants near a checkpoint in northern Iraq. Credit:Khalid Mohammed

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Saturday that US and Australian officials were in talks after the US asked Australian to consider participating in humanitarian air drops in the mountain area where some 40,000 Yazidi refugees are trapped near the city of Sinjar.

Mr Abbott said that Australia had two C-130 Hercules aircraft based in the United Arab Emirates that could be used to drop food, water and other supplies.