New Names for Streets as Iran Boasts its Influence in Eastern Syria

Iranian militias in eastern Syria have been changing the names of streets to reflect their power and influence and send a clear message to residents and opposition forces.

Although for the most part the names of the streets in the cities of Al-Mayadeen and Albukamal have not been officially changed — there have been no new street signs actually replacing old ones — the makeshift changes demonstrate that Iranian militia soldiers have gained influence in the area, and the soldiers routinely refer to the streets by their new names.

IranWire spoke to a source with close links to Iran who confirmed that street names in the city of Al-Mayadeen in the Syrian governorate of Deir Al-Zour had been changed, with the new names scribbled or informally posted on the street signs in both the Arabic and Persian languages.

The new street names are inspired by both Iranian traditional heroic figures and reminders of Iran’s contemporary military presence. One street in Al-Mayadeen was changed from Anas Bin Malik Street — alluding to a companion of the Prophet Mohammad — to Imam Khomeini Street, a clear homage to the founder of the Islamic Republic and the country’s first Supreme Leader.

Abu Ghuroub Street, which stretches from Nur Al-Saeed Hospital to the bridge connecting Al-Mayadeen and Dhiban, has also been renamed Martyr Ghasem Soleimani Street, with a photograph of the former Quds commander who was assassinated by the United States military in January stuck to the sign. This street is probably the most visibly altered sign in the area.

In the city’s marketplace, Al-Jaysh Street, which was also once known as Al-Hanish Street, has been changed to Imam Al-Abbas Street, a recognition of the Al-Abbas Brigade militia stationed in the city.

Qanat Al-Ray Street, the street extending from the irrigation canal along the river to the corniche, has been changed to Fatemiyoun Street, acknowledging the presence of the Fatemiyoun Brigade, a militia of Shia Afghan soldiers recruited by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

The Iranian militias have also changed the names of a number of places in the city of Albukamal, including the Sukkariya Roundabout, which has been renamed Al-Quds Roundabout in honor of the unit in charge of the Revolutionary Guards’ extraterritorial operations. Other streets have been named after Iranian soldiers who lost their lives in Syria, and some of these names also appear on the walls in several of the city’s neighborhoods, including Al-Jamaiyat in downtown Albukamal and the Al-Kitf district.