In Syria's northeast, last Assyrians fear Turkish advance Since fleeing her hometown in northeastern Syria, Suad Simon prays everyday for the safety of her husband who stayed behind with other fighters to defend their majority-Assyrian village. Assyrian Christians like Simon, who escaped the invasion by the Islamic State group in 2015 and did not choose to emigrate, now anxiously watch the advance of Turkish forces toward their villages in the south of Hasakeh province. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES