Diggers stationed at the Taji military base outside Baghdad have expressed frustration at a strict alcohol ban which prevents them enjoying even a single drink on Anzac Day or Christmas.

Key points: One veteran said the blanket prohibition was annoying his fellow diggers

One veteran said the blanket prohibition was annoying his fellow diggers "We chose not to serve alcohol here," says Air Vice Marshal Tim Innes

"We chose not to serve alcohol here," says Air Vice Marshal Tim Innes Air Vice Marshal also ruled out relaxing alcohol rules for future occasions

Some Australian soldiers serving as part of the joint Anzac Task Group Taji believe New Zealand military commanders are responsible for the rules, which apply to all members.

One veteran who served in East Timor and Afghanistan told the ABC the blanket prohibition was annoying his fellow diggers, because occasional small amounts of alcohol were allowed in previous combat campaigns.

"It's frustrating to think that even in Afghanistan we were allowed to have a rum in our coffee on Anzac Day, but here the Kiwis have pushed to ban alcohol completely," the Brisbane-based soldier said.

Air Vice Marshal Tim Innes, who commands Australia's military operations in the Middle East, made no apologies for the hardline approach.

"Considering where we are and what we're doing on this operation I think it's entirely appropriate and I have not heard one comment [from the soldiers] whatsoever regarding that," he said.

'We chose not to serve alcohol here'

Air Vice Marshal Innes insisted his senior New Zealand colleagues were not responsible for instigating the rules.

"We chose not to serve alcohol here," he said.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 2 minutes 48 seconds 2 m 48 s Dissatisfaction in Anzac ranks over alcohol ban on joint Iraq training mission Download 5.1 MB

The hardline stance has the support of Neil James from the Australia Defence Association.

Mr James believes the commander on the ground should always make the call on alcohol, particularly in a predominantly Muslim country.

"Only they can make this decision, they shouldn't be second guessed here in Australia by anyone," he said.

"Only they can assess the situation, not just with the host country but also other allied contingents they're working with."

Air Vice Marshal Innes has also ruled out relaxing the alcohol rules for any future occasions.

"There will be no alcohol here in the middle of Iraq on this operation," he said.

"It's a very isolated location and there are serious threats that are considered all times, so while it may seem that they're having a great time here there is also some very significant ongoing operations around the place."

About 300 Australian soldiers are stationed at Taji alongside about 100 New Zealand soldiers in a mission to train local Iraqi forces

The second rotation of Task Group Taji began its deployment in December, and since the operation began over 6,000 Iraqis have been trained.