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Canada announced the removal of Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and lifted the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist organization, aligning with recent international decisions that favor easing sanctions on Damascus.
These actions follow a shift in control, after HTS ousted the previous Syrian government leader Bashar al-Assad last December and assumed authority over the country.
In a statement, Canada’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that these decisions were made after careful consideration. They explained that the moves are consistent with the policies of allies such as the UK and the US, and reflect the efforts of the Syrian transitional government to promote stability within the nation.
Canada designated Syria as a state supporter of terrorism in 2012, in response to Assad’s violent suppression of pro-democracy protests, which ignited a civil war. Al-Tahrir al-Sham, previously sanctioned for its links to al-Qaeda, has been delisted by some Western countries to facilitate cooperation with the new Syrian administration and its president, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Since coming to power, Syria’s new leadership has sought to distance itself from its violent past by projecting a more moderate image both domestically and internationally.
While the government has eased some sanctions, Canada continues to maintain measures against 56 individuals, including former officials from the Assad regime and members of the Assad family, according to the foreign ministry.
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