Australian aircraft were among a group of international planes taking part in an airstrike near Dayr Az Zawr when Russian officials advised the targets may have been Syrian military personnel, Defence says.

Joyce described the incident as a “complete tragedy”, but said the greater tragedy would be to let Islamic State’s view of the world prevail.

That would be “the end of civilisation as we know it”.

“People don’t go out to make mistakes like this,” he told ABC radio on Monday.

“We have to make sure we beat these people.”

Joyce could not say exactly what role Australia played in the incident but investigations are underway.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia regretted the loss of life and injuries to Syrian soldiers.

Australia’s rules of engagement were to target IS but it was a very complex environment.

“You’ll find over the next little while, no doubt, arguments or issues about why there wasn’t more co-ordination or who was meant to be advising who,” Turnbull told reporters in New York, where he is attending the annual United Nations General Assembly.

He admitted it remained to be seen whether the Syrian ceasefire would be jeopardised.

Defence insists Australia would never intentionally target a known Syrian military unit.

South Australian senator Nick Xenophon today called for an independent investigation into the “botched” operation.

“An independent inquiry is essential to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” he said. “For instance, the implications of a botched operation in the South China Sea could be profound for Australia.”

– with AAP