devastating effect. kurdish fighters known as the ypg, took this entire area from isis in august. but holding it along the front line more than 400 miles long is a huge challenge. in the shadow of mt. abdulazeez, the commander 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: zinar is a battalion commander, but this is the size of his battalion. a handful of poorly equipped men, the nearest friendly forces are miles away. the cost of pushing isis out has been enormous. streets here are draped with the flags of fighters killed in battle along desolate roads through abandoned villages we