Iraq’s premier vowed Wednesday to face terrorism and insisted security forces had suffered a "setback" rather than defeat.

Iraq's premier vowed Wednesday to face terrorism and insisted security forces had suffered a "setback" rather than defeat.

"We will face terrorism and bring down the conspiracy," Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki vowed in televised remarks, adding that "we will teach (militants) a lesson and strike them."

He also said that the country's security forces had suffered a "setback" but had not been defeated.

Maliki blasted the Saudi and the Qatari roles in the crisis, saying that these countries will witness the atrocities of ISIL terrorists within their borders.