Next on Four Corners

MONDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2012 THE BATTLE FOR SYRIA  The civil war in Syria is a conflict in which claims of human rights abuse and torture are commonplace. The rebels say they are fighting for democracy, alleging Government forces are killing civilians in order to protect a corrupt regime. The Government says the rebels are doing the work of foreign interests, claiming they are dispensing vigilante justice and torture. It is a struggle with no end in sight. Next week, Four Corners goes on the frontline of the civil war raging in Syria. Clover Films ' reporter Ghaith Abdul-Ahad and producer Jamie Doran tell the dramatic story of the battle for Aleppo, Syria's biggest city. Embedding themselves with a rebel militia they are there as the men go out to do battle and they are there when some do not come back. They witness Syrian soldiers defecting, and are helpless to intervene when a Government informer is captured and tortured. What Abdul-Ahad and Doran discover is the grim reality of the battle for Aleppo. The rebels are not strong enough to defeat Government forces outright and Government forces lack the numbers to maintain control of many areas in the city. As a result, the two sides wage a constant battle - losing and winning ground time and again with significant loss of life.  They also see first hand the impact the conflict has on civilians. Some have stayed, many more have fled seeking refuge in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. As the camera team move around the city they find bodies lying unburied, which are now being used as bait by snipers high up in city buildings. One misstep will result in almost certain death. What we see is an unvarnished picture of a war that neither side can win and which may go on for many months, or even years, unless a peace plan can be formulated. 'The Battle for Syria', produced and directed by Jamie Doran from Clover Films and presented by Kerry O'Brien, goes to air on Monday 8th October at 8.30pm on ABC1 . It is replayed on Tuesday 9th October at 11.35pm. It can also be seen on ABC News24 on Saturday at 8.00pm and on ABC iview . abc.net.au/4corners Four Corners The Stories that Changed Australia: 50 Years of Four Corners From the team behind Australia's premier television current affairs program, Four Corners, comes this landmark book written by some of ABC TV's best journalists. Visit ABC Books for more details. Watch Past Episodes Four Corners presents broadband video available on demand for selected programs. Four Corners on ABC iView Watch Four Corners streamed on-demand and at a high resolution from ABC iview. Four Corners 50 Years Celebrate the rich history of Four Corners: visit our special website, download the free iPad app or buy the ABC DVD Collection. Follow Four Corners on Twitter Become a fan on Facebook Four Corners Home | Newsletter Subscribe or Unsubscribe © 2012 Australian Broadcasting Corporation | Privacy Policy ABC Head Office, 700 Harris Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia