Canada on Friday announced the removal of Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and formally revoked the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, HTS, as a terrorist organisation, joining a growing number of countries easing long-standing sanctions on Damascus.
The decision follows significant political changes in Syria, where the HTS last December ousted former President Bashar al-Assad and assumed control of the government.
In a statement, Canada’s foreign ministry said the policy shift was taken after careful consideration and aligns with similar actions recently undertaken by the United States and the United Kingdom.
According to the ministry, the new steps reflect international recognition of the Syrian transitional government’s efforts to stabilise the country and distance itself from the excesses of the Assad era.
Canada designated Syria a ‘state supporter of terrorism’ in 2012, at the height of Assad’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests that spiralled into a full-scale civil war. HTS, long sanctioned for its historical ties to Al-Qaeda, has also been delisted by several Western governments seeking to engage with the new administration led by former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Since assuming power, the new Syrian authorities have made repeated attempts to rebrand themselves, projecting a more moderate posture both domestically and in diplomatic engagements.
Despite the updated classifications, Canada said it would maintain targeted sanctions against 56 Syrian individuals, including senior figures from the deposed Assad regime and members of the Assad family.
Canada removes Syria from terror list, delists HTS as terrorist organisation
