The earthquake that rocked Syria devastated millions already ravaged by war. Their dictator Bashar al-Assad saw an opportunity

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his wife have been touring areas hit by this month's quake.  (Twitter: Syrian Presidency)

Five days after north-west Syria was rocked by a deadly earthquake, two unlikely visitors glided into an Aleppo hospital with a press pack in tow. 

It was the man who had spent years dropping thousands of barrel bombs on parts of the city, accompanied by his glamorous wife.