Iranian Militias Change Names of Ancient Streets in Syria

A man walks along a deserted street filled with debris in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria February 14, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
A man walks along a deserted street filled with debris in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria February 14, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
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Iranian Militias Change Names of Ancient Streets in Syria

A man walks along a deserted street filled with debris in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria February 14, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
A man walks along a deserted street filled with debris in Deir Ezzor, eastern Syria February 14, 2014. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo

Sources in Syria's al-Mayadeen city, in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, said that Iranian militias have changed the names of a number of ancient streets, replacing them with the names of their leaders and symbols written in Arabic and Persian.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the militias have changed the name of “Anas bin Malik” Street and placed a signboard written in Arabic and Persian says “Imam Al-Khamini” Street. They have also changed the name of “Al-Jaish” street and placed a large signboard says “Imam al-Abbas” street in Arabic and Persian, refering to “Al-Abbas Brigade” in the city.

Similarly, they changed the name of “Abu Grub” street and placed a signboard in Persian and Arabic says “Martyr Qassim Soleimani” street.

They also placed a signboard on al-Sakiat Al-Rai street, in Persian and Arabic says “Fatimiyon Street”.

Meanwhile, the war-monitor said the Iranians and Hezbollah continue recruiting more people via pro-Iranian spiritual figures in “Saraya al-Areen” of the 313th Brigade in northern Daraa, and centers in Sayda and Dael. It is worth noting that the recent recruits undergo training courses in Al-Lajat area in eastern Daraa.

In Al-Quneitra, near the border with the occupied Syrian Golan, the Lebanese Hezbollah continues recruiting young people who have passed their date of joining the mandatory and reserve military service to regime’s security branches, according to SOHR.



France Accuses Iran of ‘Repression’ in Sentence for Nobel Laureate

People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
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France Accuses Iran of ‘Repression’ in Sentence for Nobel Laureate

People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)
People cross an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Monday, Feb. 9, 2026. (AP)

France accused Iran on Monday of "repression and intimidation" after a court handed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi a new six-year prison sentence on charges of harming national security.

Mohammadi, sentenced Saturday, was also handed a one-and-a-half-year prison sentence for "propaganda" against Iran's system, according to her foundation.

"With this sentence, the Iranian regime has, once again, chosen repression and intimidation," the French foreign ministry said in a statement, describing the 53-year-old as a "tireless defender" of human rights.

Paris is calling for the release of the activist, who was arrested before protests erupted nationwide in December after speaking out against the government at a funeral ceremony.

The movement peaked in January as authorities launched a crackdown that activists say has left thousands dead.

Over the past quarter-century, Mohammadi has been repeatedly tried and jailed for her vocal campaigning against Iran's use of capital punishment and the mandatory dress code for women.

Mohammadi has spent much of the past decade behind bars and has not seen her twin children, who live in Paris, since 2015.

Iranian authorities have arrested more than 50,000 people as part of their crackdown on protests, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).


Iran's Supreme Leader Urges Iranians to Show 'Resolve' against Foreign Pressure

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
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Iran's Supreme Leader Urges Iranians to Show 'Resolve' against Foreign Pressure

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on (File Photo/Supreme Leader's website).

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Monday called on his compatriots to show "resolve" ahead of the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution this week.

Since the revolution, "foreign powers have always sought to restore the previous situation", Ali Khamenei said, referring to the period when Iran was under the rule of shah Reza Pahlavi and dependent on the United States, AFP reported.

"National power is less about missiles and aircraft and more about the will and steadfastness of the people," the leader said, adding: "Show it again and frustrate the enemy."


UK PM's Communications Director Quits

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
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UK PM's Communications Director Quits

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a speech at Horntye Park Sports Complex in St Leonards, Britain, February 05, 2026. Peter Nicholls/Pool via REUTERS

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's director of communications Tim Allan resigned on Monday, a day after Starmer's top aide Morgan McSweeney quit over his role in backing Peter Mandelson over his known links to Jeffrey Epstein.

The loss of two senior aides ⁠in quick succession comes as Starmer tries to draw a line under the crisis in his government resulting from his appointment of Mandelson as ambassador to the ⁠US.

"I have decided to stand down to allow a new No10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success," Allan said in a statement on Monday.

Allan served as an adviser to Tony Blair from ⁠1992 to 1998 and went on to found and lead one of the country’s foremost public affairs consultancies in 2001. In September 2025, he was appointed executive director of communications at Downing Street.