the commander told us he had lost 30 of his fighters in a recent battle when isis came down from the mountain. >> translator: the enemy attacked us with a large number of fighters, using heavy weapons. they took control of three villages and after that, the clashes lasted for hours until we were in control again. >> reporter: he is a battalion commander, but this is the size of his battalion. a handful of poorly equipped men. the nearest friend lly forces a miles away. the cost of pushing isis out has been enormous. streets here are draped of the flags of fighters killed in battle, along desolate roads, through abandoned villages, we saw scene upon scene of devastation. the wreckage of months of fierce fighting and relentless coalition air strikes. dozens of villages like this one that were liberated from isis months ago are now still completely deserted.