HELSINKI, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish government on Thursday provided 1 million euros (about 1.3 million U.S. dollars) in humanitarian aid to the victims of conflicts in Somalia.

    The aid would be destined to the rescue work carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross and Somalia Red Crescent Society.

    Ethiopian troops launched a major offensive this week to support Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG), which led to escalation of tension between fighters loyal to the transitional government and the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC).

    As the worst fighting in a decade in central and southern Somalia, it has caused hundreds of casualties and forced thousands to flee their homes.

    The international community expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating situation in Somalia and called on warring factions to stop conflicts immediately.