Canada removes Syria from state sponsors of terrorism list, eases sanctions

• Canada removes Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.
• Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is no longer designated as a terrorist entity by Canada.
• Sanctions remain on 56 individuals connected to the former Assad regime.

On Friday, December 5, Canada officially removed Syria from its list of countries considered state sponsors of terrorism and revoked the terrorist designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), aligning with recent moves by other Western nations to ease restrictions on Damascus.

Canada’s foreign ministry emphasized the careful consideration behind the decision, stating, “These decisions were not taken lightly.” It added that the changes were “in line with recent decisions taken by our allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States, and follow the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to advance Syria's stability.”

Syria had been labeled a state sponsor of terrorism in 2012, after Bashar al-Assad’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests triggered a civil war that drew global condemnation. HTS, previously sanctioned for its links to Al-Qaeda, has also been delisted by several Western states to facilitate cooperation with Syria’s new government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed power after ousting Assad last December.

Since taking control, Syria’s new leadership has sought to distance itself from the violent legacy of its predecessor, presenting a more moderate image to both the Syrian public and international partners.

Despite these changes, Canada confirmed it will maintain sanctions against 56 Syrian individuals, including former officials and members of the Assad family. The government stressed that while the country is engaging with the new leadership, it continues to hold accountable those connected to past abuses.