p.j. ak fighters support unit to defend the oil-rich city. but the iranian government is unhappy, concerned the pgaks will give it legitimacy. kurdish authorities are keen to have a good relationship and discourage p.j. ak fighters operating independently. they want to create their own independence. >> i.s.i.l. calls us to fight. it's because the fighters wear red shoes, distinguishing us from others. when night falls, we leave the barracks and hide awaiting intruders. >> hundreds crossed the border and iraq. joining the fight against i.s.i.l. peshmerga have been instrumental in securing territory. that has come at a price - the loss of 1,000 men in the fight against the group. the peshmerga say they are facing a formidable penalty and accept help from any quarter >>> reports that i.s.i.l. executed 17 people in syria over the past few days. human rights groups say the murders took place in the east and the bodies of some victims were put on display. the executions were believed to be in response to a string of assassinations. president obama