Canada Removes Syria from Terrorism List, Lifts HTS Sanctions

Canada removed Syria from its list of countries that support terrorism and revoked the designation of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist organization. The move aligns Canada with other countries that have recently eased sanctions on Damascus.

Canada’s Foreign Ministry said the decisions were made carefully and are in line with similar actions by the United Kingdom and the United States. The ministry added that the changes recognize efforts by Syria’s transitional government to promote stability.

Syria was added to Canada’s terrorism list in 2012, after President Bashar al-Assad’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests sparked a civil war. HTS had previously faced international sanctions due to its links with Al-Qaeda. Several Western countries have now removed sanctions on the group to facilitate cooperation with Syria’s new leadership under former jihadist Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Since taking control, Syria’s new government has aimed to distance itself from past violence and project a more moderate image to both citizens and the international community.

However, Canada will continue to enforce sanctions on 56 individuals in Syria, including former officials of the Assad regime and members of the Assad family.