In a significant foreign policy reversal, Canada has formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and revoked the terrorist entity designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This decision, announced by Canada’s Foreign Ministry on Friday, aligns with similar measures recently implemented by key allies including the United States and United Kingdom.
The policy shift comes precisely one year after HTS ousted former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad and assumed control of the government in December 2024. Canadian officials emphasized that these determinations followed careful deliberation and reflect the evolving political landscape in Syria.
Canada initially designated Syria as a state supporter of terrorism in 2012 during the early stages of the country’s civil war, which erupted when Assad’s regime violently suppressed pro-democracy protests. HTS, previously sanctioned for its connections to Al-Qaeda, has undergone substantial transformation according to Western assessments.
The Foreign Ministry statement noted that these changes acknowledge ‘the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to advance Syria’s stability.’ Despite these modifications, Canada will maintain sanctions against 56 Syrian individuals, including former officials from the Assad regime and members of the Assad family.
Since assuming power, Syria’s new leadership under President Ahmed al-Sharaa—a former jihadist—has actively worked to distance itself from its militant origins and present a more moderate governance approach to both the Syrian population and international community.