Dempsey said that two Iraqi divisions and a national police unit „did in fact throw down their arms“ as ISIS attacked in pickup trucks. The Iraqi troops „simply lost faith“ in the Baghdad government, Dempsey said.

Dempsey quickly added that the situation in Iraq „has not broken down entirely on sectarian lines,“ with ISIS drawing support from the Sunni population while Shia militias rally behind the central government.

Dempsey said there were still „multi-confessional“ units of the Iraqi army who appeared to be holding ground against ISIS north of Baghdad.