Because of stories like this one. From South Africa’s News24, with thanks to Ali Dashti:
Damascus – More than 1,500 members of an Iraqi Christian group have gone to northern Iraq to try to protect Christians following attacks on churches in Baghdad and Mosul, the leader of the group said pm Saturday.
In an interview, Yonadem Kana, the leader of the Assyrian Democratic Movement in Iraq and a member of the Iraqi National Council, said the fighters have been deployed in Baghdida near the northern city of Mosul.
“We do not want to transform our movement into a militia,” he said. “But if needed, we can arm more than 10,000 people.”