Street Name Change in Sayyida Zainab Area Sparks Tension Among Shiite Residents

Street Name Change in Sayyida Zainab Area Sparks Tension Among Shiite Residents
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The Syrian Observatory for Documentation reported that local authorities in the Sayyida Zainab district, south of Damascus, have renamed “Iraqis Street” — home to many Shiite families — as “Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan Street,” triggering anger among local residents. According to the Observatory, many viewed the move as provocative, given the street’s strong association with Iraqi visitors and its religious centers and mourning processions.

The change comes amid increasing reports of harassment and attacks by armed groups linked to the so-called “General Security,” allegedly targeting Shiite residents and other religious communities. The development adds to recurring tensions in Sayyida Zainab, a major Shiite pilgrimage site in Syria, where instability and security incidents have persisted for years.