The Assyrians have lived in Iraq since 5,000 B.C. Ethnically distinct from Arabs and Kurds, they are Christians and speak neo-Aramaic, similar to the language of Christ. They include Chaldean Catholic, Apostolic Catholic and Syriac Orthodox churches.

"In Iraq," Chaldean Archbishop Louis Sako, of Kirkuk, said last April, "Christians are dying, the Church is disappearing under