Thousands of Syrian insurgents have taken over most of Aleppo, establishing positions in the country’s largest city and controlling its airport before expanding their shock offensive to a nearby province.

Thousands of fighters also moved on, facing almost no opposition from government forces, to seize towns and villages in northern Hama, a province where they had a presence before being expelled by government troops in 2016. They claimed on Saturday evening to have entered the city of Hama.

Insurgents have breached the Syrian city of Aleppo, clashing with government forces, according to a Syria war monitor and fighters.