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.

Syria said Wednesday its counteroffensive has pushed back insurgents attempting to advance to the strategic central city of Hama, while the insurgency says it captured more Syrian troops and Iran-backed militants in fierce battles.

Insurgents led by the Islamist rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham along with Turkey-backed opposition fighters arrived 'at the gates' of Hama, Syria’s fourth largest city, after seizing Aleppo over the weekend.