Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was defiant, warning Sunni insurgents on Saturday not to underestimate his forces.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NOURI AL-MALIKI, SAYING:

"With all seriousness, and by the name of God, if our heads are turned into bombs or our bodies turned into courses for tanks and vehicles to move on, we will not stop fighting them, so, let them not to be deluded."

The defiant tone was in stark contrast to reports Iraqi soldiers retreated as the group, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), made lightning advances on Mosul and Tikrit.

Maliki says there was a conspiracy or plot to create confusion within the military that led to some soldiers leaving their positions. Acknowledging the week's setbacks, he issued a warning to the soldiers.

(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) IRAQI PRIME MINISTER NOURI AL-MALIKI, SAYING:

"Those who abandoned their positions should not imagine that they can take refugee in their homes or wi