Idlib Province, Syria - Recent

Storyline:
A China Central Television (CCTV) reporter was granted rare access to a command post of Syrian government forces located just 500 meters from the battlefront in northwestern Idlib Province amid rising tensions.

While direct clashes between government forces and the armed opposition groups in Idlib province have become less frequent, there has been a noticeable surge in drone and rocket attacks of late. The government has attributed these attacks to infiltration attempts of the opposition groups.

Reaching the frontline in Idlib province was fraught with uncertainty, according to the reporter.

The three-story command post sits at the frontline of the conflict, with the confrontation area being alarmingly close.

From beside the window, the buildings in the opposition-controlled zone were clearly visible, with windows of opposition groups' structures just across the way.

The command post, with two of its three floors having sand tables, is a hub for military operations with many soldiers in it. Government forces were actively deploying their own drones for reconnaissance, under strict conditions that prohibit any filming.

According to a government soldier, the command post was not secure at all. He recounted an incident about two months ago when he was there inspecting and watched a shell heading straight for him because he had been spotted and targeted. In the end, he survived, but he and his deputy were injured.

The Syrian government controls about 70 percent of the country, with opposition forces dominant in areas of Idlib and other regions. The 2017 ceasefire, mediated by Russia, Iran and Turkey, has left Idlib as the opposition's bastion, though some areas remain under government control within the province.

Shotlist:
Idlib Province, Syria - Recent:
1. Various of window of command post, peephole on wall;
2. Various of confrontation area, damaged buildings;
3. Window;
4. Drone;
5. Various of damaged buildings;
6. Various of barrels on building, ground;
7. Various of road, buildings seen from vehicle;
8. Various of debris, damaged buildings afar.

[Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland/Orient TV/Syria Alshaab TV/Zanoubia TV/Alhurra TV/ANN TV/Al Jazeera/Al-Arabiya TV]