The Department of Defence has dismissed reports that a Royal Australian Airforce (RAAF) plane was shot at by ISIS militants during a humanitarian operation in Iraq last weekend.

A report by News Corp Australia alleges a Hercules transport aircraft came under fire during an aid drop to civilians in the town of Amirli in northern Iraq, but was lucky not to be hit.

“The C-130 did not report being shot at with small arms fire,” the spokesperson said in a statement to The New Daily.

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A source close to the operation told News Corp Australia that US fighter jets provided cover for the RAAF plane, responding to the attack by ISIS fighters with “maximum force”.

Renewed criticism

The news comes as the Abbott government faces intense criticism over its decision to send Australian troops to Iraq.

Iraq’s ambassador to Australia, Mouayed Saleh, yesterday criticised the government’s decision to supply weapons to Kurdish troops, saying they should be provided to the Iraqi government.

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said the government was acting in a “proportioned and sober way” on ABC’s 7.30 program last night.

“Of course you cannot move arms into another sovereign country without their support and participation and involvement, and certainly we wouldn’t be doing that,” Mr Morrison said.

“We have the appropriate arrangements in place and we’re doing it in accordance with those arrangements.”