Australia expected to wind back Iraq, Syria operations

Defence Minister Marise Payne is expected to announce Australia will end its airstrike campaign against Islamic State when she fronts the media on Friday.

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet prior to a mission at the main air operating base in the Middle East region. Source: AAP

Defence Minister Marise Payne is reportedly expected to announce Australia will wind back its operations in the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Senator Payne is due to address the media later on Friday morning.

Earlier this month Iraq's prime minister declared victory over the terrorist group.

Labor's former defence spokesman Stephen Conroy described the announcement as great news.

"I remember being in the room in the briefings when ISIS first starting rolling through all those towns in Iraq and there was enormous pessimism that Iraq would never come together," he told Sky News.

"The troops over there have done a fantastic job and this is a real tribute to their professionalism."