Canada has officially removed Syria from its list of “foreign state supporters of terrorism,” marking a significant shift in Ottawa’s diplomatic stance following major political changes in the country. The update was announced Friday in a press release from Global Affairs Canada.
The government also confirmed the removal of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from Canada’s List of Terrorist Entities under the Criminal Code, further reflecting what officials describe as evolving conditions in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime.
“Canada welcomes the positive steps taken by the Syrian transitional government since the end of the Assad regime towards a peaceful Syrian-led political transition,” Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said in the statement. “Canada stands steadfast with the people of Syria in their quest for an inclusive, stable and prosperous future.”
The decisions mark one of the most substantial adjustments to Canada’s Middle East policy in recent years, signalling cautious optimism about Syria’s new interim leadership under President Ahmad al-Sharaa and its commitment to rebuilding a country devastated by more than a decade of conflict.