Australia special forces troops now moving into Iraq, Abbott says

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says Australian special forces troops will go into Iraq to help the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

Mr Abbott made the announcement following talks with US president Barack Obama during the APEC summit in Beijing, ABC News reports.

There are currently 200 Australian special forces soldiers in the Middle East who have been awaiting deployment since September, and they have now been given official confirmation they will go into Iraq to advise the country's military in the ongoing battle with IS.

Mr Abbott said IS had "declared war on the world" and it was good the US had assembled a strong coalition to help Iraq regain its territory.

"So it is important to respond strongly, which is what the US-led Coalition is doing," Mr Abbott said.

"Our priority at the moment is getting our special forces into Baghdad and then into the field on the advise and assist mission we've set them.

"That's happening and I'm confident our people will do good work."

The Australian troops will be based in Baghdad initially before moving out into other parts of the country.