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 Türkiye, has left Idlib as the opposition's bastion, though some areas remain under government control within the province.
CCTV reporter gets rare access to government command post near Idlib battlefront
Truck drivers and their cargoes sought refuge in a Shanghai activity hub as Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest typhoon to hit the city in decades, made landfall on Monday morning, unleashing heavy rains and winds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour.
In the Pudong District, situated on the southeastern tip of Shanghai, the impact of Typhoon Bebinca was stark, with trees and road signs uprooted, construction sites disrupted, and bicycles scattered across the ground.
Shanghai is not prone to strong typhoons, but local authorities have made emergency plans.
In Lingang Special Area, an activity hub was transformed into a temporary shelter for over 130 truck drivers and their cargoes.
"With such strong winds, it's not safe to park my truck on the street. Trees could fall. Parking here is a safer choice. The service is good here. It's clean, and it also provides food. We can take a shower here," said Wang Shaodong, a truck driver from east China's Anhui Province.
"The Donghai Bridge has been closed, as the typhoon is approaching. That's why we came here. They provide us with bedding, and air conditioners were turned on. So we are staying here. There are also meals downstairs," said Gong Xiangge, a hazardous cargo driver from east China's Shandong Province.
"We call these truck drivers 'men living on wheels.' The 13th typhoon [of this year] brought gales, with maximum wind speed reaching 36.9 meters per second, so danger may come at any time. So staying on the side of the street is unsafe for both trucks and drivers," said Fan Jianrong, deputy director of Lingang Special Area Investment Holding Group.
Although traffic resumed on all roads and bridges across Shanghai starting from 20:00 on Monday, precautions are still in place as Typhoon Pulasan, the 14th of the year, has formed in the northeastern Pacific and could follow a similar path to Typhoon Bebinca.
The director of the center said that the shelter remains open to those in need, ensuring that assistance is readily available for individuals affected by the poor weather.
Truck drivers seek shelter as powerful typhoon hits Shanghai
