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The Prime Minister has announced approval for air strikes in Iraq and the deployment of 200 special force soldiers, warning the campaign is dangerous and could be "quite lengthy".

Tony Abbott has given the go-ahead for RAAF fighters to begin air strikes against the feared Islamic State in Iraq, marking the start of Australia's military involvement in a campaign likely to last months or even years.

The federal government has also given the green light to sending about 200 Special Forces advisers to Iraq to advise and assist local forces on the ground, though the Australians will not take part in independent combat operations.

After the government's National Security Committee gave a nod to air combat operations, the full cabinet then approved the action and the opposition was also briefed.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, with Defence Minister David Johnston and chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, announces the security committee's decision. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen

The Australian Defence Force has been planning its air missions around a start date of Sunday, it is understood.

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At a press conference in Canberra on Friday with Defence Minister David Johnston and defence chief Mark Binskin, Mr Abbott confirmed cabinet had authorised the military action at the request of the Iraqi government.

"I have to warn that thisdeployment toIraqcould bequite lengthy, certainlymonths rather than weeks," Mr Abbott said.

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