The leader of Syria’s most powerful insurgent group has toured the seized city of Aleppo in a surprise visit, for the first time since the group captured large parts of the city last weekend, as fierce fighting intensifies in the government-led counter-offensive in northern Hama.

Rebel forces in Syria have seized control of most of the city Aleppo after launching a surprise offensive against government forces, a war monitor reported on Saturday as Russia says it deployed fighter jets against rebels in Syria.

Assad’s favor after a Russian blitzkrieg on Aleppo helped him regain control over the country’s second biggest city.