Syria Crisis: CGTN visits strategic city of Khan Sheikhoun after its liberation

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Syrian military forces have announced the liberation of the strategic city of Khan Sheikhoun, five years after it was seized by Islamist militants. The city sits on a vital commercial highway connecting the major northern city of Aleppo to the capital of Damascus. Our correspondent Zhu Xuesong visited the city and filed this report.

It took us 4 hours to travel from the Syrian capital Damascus to Khan Sheikhoun, the city strategically located on a highway connecting the capital Damascus to Aleppo. One of the Syrian military officials told us we were the first group to be able to use the shortcut in the past 5 years.

ZHU XUESONG KHAN SHEIKHOUN, SYRIA "Where I am standing now is M5 Highway that connects Syrian capital Damascus and its northern Strategic city Aleppo. With the liberation of Khan Sheikhoun City from rebel hands, the road within this region is expected to be reopened soon, which will make the transport more efficient and convenient."

The deeper we explored the war-torn city, the sadder we felt. Empty streets, lingering smoke and a burnt smell in the air indicate that Khan Sheikhoun is ultimately a ghost town after fierce clashes between the government forces and rebels.

AHMAD ALWAN SYRIAN GOVERNMENT SOLDIER "There were difficulties from snipers, tank shells, missiles and mortars, but we were able to expel them and they withdrew north to Idlib."

ABDUL QADER MEMARI SYRIAN GOVERNMENT SOLDIER "The operation began from the north and we took control of the northern neighborhood. Then we took it all. After that, the terrorists came under siege in North Hama. Then we started searching the villages and securing the M5 highway up to Khan Sheikhoun."

On our way back, we stopped at the Turkish No. 9 watchpoint in the town of Morek, Khan Sheikhoun's neighbouring town in northern Hama Province. Days ago, after a Turkish convoy was attacked by air raids in the Syrian province of Idlib, Syria condemned Turkey, claiming it had provided ammunition to defeated rebels in Khan Sheikhoun city.

ZHU XUESONG MOREK, SYRIA "The complex behind me is the NO. 9 Turkish watchpoint established under the agreement between Russia and Turkey. The Syrian government officials here told us that despite the fierce clashes between Syrian government forces and rebels, the military personnel inside the watchpoint insisted on staying and didn't retreat."

The government troops will continue to work on dismantling land mines and explosive devices planted by rebels in the city to make it secured for the return of the displaced families. Zhu Xuesong, CGTN, Khan Sheikhoun, Southern Idlib, Syria.