Iraqi Security Forces to investigate 59 senior security officials for abandoning posts

BAGHDAD, June 18 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government announced Wednesday that 59 senior security officials will face investigation for abandoning their posts during a lightning offensive launched by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

If found guilty, ISF spokesman Qassim Atta said the officials could be executed.

ISIS took control of the northern cities of Mosul and Tikrit last week and Tal Afar on Monday. In some cities, including Kirkuk, Iraqi troops abandoned their posts.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki fired four army commanders on Tuesday for "failing their national duty" but insisted during a weekly address that Iraqi forces "will win."

"We absorbed the initial shock of the military operations and now we are on the rebound we will respond and keep the momentum ... What happened was a catastrophe, but not every catastrophe is a defeat."