Hornet fighter jets successfully destroyed an Isis armoured personnel carrier with a precision-guided missile two days ago.

Mr Andrews said by reducing the number of soldiers training Iraqi forces allows Australia to “balance its contribution between specialist advice and support to the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service provided by the Special Operations Task Group, and the training provided to the regular Iraqi army through the Building Partner Capacity mission”.

At least one of the strikes was carried out by RAAF Hornet fighters, but it is not clear which, or whether it was all three.

“We’re obviously hoping to make Syria safer and to stop the persecution of millions of people there as ISIS advances”, Australia’s Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told ABC TV Wednesday.

Military aircraft were not at risk of enemy fire, Andrews said, adding that strict guidance and controls were in place to limit civilian impact. “This was done from a distance or height that preserved the safety of the Australian aircraft”, stated Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoting him.

Andrews said the expansion of operations into Syria was a logical extension of Australia’s commitment in the Middle East and was needed to protect the security of Iraq.

Coalition nations which have conducted airstrikes in Syria also included Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the U.S.

Australia’s F/A-18A Hornets were part of the air strikes near the north eastern Syrian city of al-Hasakah.

At the time, the Australian Defence Force said action would begin within a week. News of the successful mission was first released by the USA government.

“We don’t normally announce the missions that occur nearly on a daily basis”, Mr Andrews said.

But Australian aircraft have continued to pound militant targets in Iraq and now Syria.