Baghdad, Iraq - Two Assyrian Christian sisters, 32 year old Janet Sada and her sister Shada, 25 were killed on the way to work in the city of Basra.

Working for a British company as translators it is believed they were targetted by terrorists. To keep safe they were living in St. George`s church which gives credence to the belief held by many that it was clear that they were Assyrians and Christians.

 We cannot allow this to happen all the time to us` said Amir Oraha, an Assyrian leader in Baghdad. `We are receiving reports almost daily of someone in our community being killed, threatened, their business being burned or destroyed.`

On Thursday the Minister of Defense along with the Minister of the Interior in a message specifically directed at the Assyrian Christians said `The Assyrians are the original people of Iraq. This is their country. They have all the rights to live here in peace and safety and we will protect them equally and to our utmost. We need them with us.`

It was a bit of `good news` for a much beleagered community trying to steer between the complex situation in Iraq - on one side delighted to be free and on the other increasingly worried about the growing `islamization` of the country which many fear could be on a path towards another Iran style Islamic rule.

Small comfort to many of the Assyrian Christians contemplating leaving the country - hundreds have left in recent days streaming across the borders for an uncertain fate, but anxious to get out.

`My family does not know what to do. They are all worried - should they stay or should they leave. Is there a future for us?` commented Odishu George.

`We are happy to have Sadaam gone, and we want the Americans to stay here forever to guarantee that the `thugs` will not take over our country and take away the freedom we have finally been able to gain`.

With a looming election and politics in another country overtaking events on the ground, the question is not answered.