Two bombs from an Australian fighter jet have been dropped on an Islamic State facility in Iraq, Australia’s first engagement in US-led military coalition in the Middle East.

• Advisor: What’s happening in Iraqi turmoil
• BONGIORNO: Are Aussie forces just window dressing in Iraq?

The government confirmed two bombs were dropped by an F/A-18F super hornet fighter jet overnight by the Australian Air Task Group, and safety returned to base.

“Overnight the Australian Air Task Group operating in the Middle East attacked its first target in Iraq,” the ADF confirmed in a statement.

The plane safely exited the undisclosed target area and has since returned to the RAAF base in the United Arab Emirates.

It is the first time Australia has launched air strikes since beginning combat operations on Sunday.

Defence says it will not be providing further details on the air strike at this time.

Further information will be provided when Defence conducts its next briefing on what it has dubbed Operation Okra.

Labor frontbencher Jason Clare was the first Australian politician to respond to the news.

“We strongly support the actions that the government has taken here,” he told Sky News.

Australia’s next big move will be deploying 200 commandos and their support personnel into Iraq to advise and assist Iraqi forces on the ground.

The Australian special forces will operate in small teams, advising and assisting the headquarters of Iraqi security force units down to battalion level.

– with AAP