"Samarra will not be the last line of defense, but a gathering point and launch pad," Maliki said, addressing military officers in the city.

"Within the coming hours, all the volunteers will arrive to support the security forces in their war against the gangs of ISIL. This is the beginning of the end of them," Maliki, said in comments broadcast on Iraqi television Saturday after he travelled to Samarra Friday.

Nearly 1.5 million Iraqi citizens have volunteered to join the country’s armed forces to confront foreign-sponsored ISIL terrorists in their bid to destabilize and take over parts of the nation.

Iraqi authorities stated on Friday that people were rushing to recruitment centers to sign up for the fight against the Takfiri insurgents.

The volunteers consist of people from all ages and even include retired officers.

RA/SHI