Late Egyptian military commander Abdel-Moneim Riad. Ahram.
The step comes amid accelerating diplomatic engagement between the two sides following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad in December 2024, with analysts describing it as part of broader efforts to rebuild relations, advance normalization, and reassure Egypt over developments in Syria.
Homs City Council stated on Saturday that it had amended the names of several main streets, including renaming a road leading to the New Clock Square as “18 April Street” and assigning the name Abdel-Moneim Riad to a street parallel to Cairo Street and connected to Qassem Amin Street.
The council said the changes are part of a broader plan to align street names with the city’s historical memory and honour national figures, while reorganizing the urban layout more coherently.
Riad, who served as chief of staff of the Egyptian army during the War of Attrition with Israel, was killed on 9 March 1969 on the Suez Canal front while inspecting military operations. Egypt commemorates the date annually as Martyrs’ Day.
The development coincides with renewed diplomatic momentum between the two countries. Cairo hosted talks between the two countries’ foreign ministers on Sunday, the first such consultations since Assad’s ouster.
The talks followed a meeting between President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Cyprus late last month, described by media in both countries as cordial.
An Egyptian trade delegation visited Damascus earlier this year for the first time in 15 years, holding discussions during a joint economic forum.
The visit came shortly after the two sides signed memoranda of understanding in the energy sector, including a memorandum of understanding on supplying Egyptian gas to Syria for electricity generation.
During the latest visit, Syrian Economy and Industry Minister Nidal Al-Shaar announced the formation of a Syrian-Egyptian Business Council, appointing Ghassan Karim to head the Syrian side.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said during talks with his Syrian counterpart that Cairo’s position has consistently supported efforts to restore stability in Syria while preserving its unity and territorial integrity.
During the talks, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reaffirmed Cairo’s rejection of Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty and called for adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, reiterating support for ending the occupation of the Golan Heights.
He said Egypt’s position on Syria has consistently focused on restoring stability while preserving the country’s unity and territorial integrity, stressing support for the Syrian people’s aspirations, the need to safeguard state institutions, and to combat terrorism and foreign fighters.
The ministers also discussed regional developments, including US-Iran talks and the situation in Lebanon, as well as ways to strengthen bilateral ties, with Abdelatty highlighting the deep historical and cultural links between the two countries.
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