The federal government has officially taken Syria off its list of terrorism-sponsoring states, nearly a year following the ousting of the previous president, Bashar al-Assad. Syria was added to the list in 2012 during Assad’s rule amid a conflict that commenced in March 2011, resulting in the deaths of approximately 500,000 people and the displacement of half of the country’s original population of 23 million.
Under the leadership of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist insurgent leader, Syria’s new administration has been actively working towards reintegrating the nation into the global community. Additionally, Canada has delisted al-Sharaa’s faction, Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham — a faction previously associated with al-Qaeda — from its roster of terrorist organizations.
Global Affairs Canada released a statement emphasizing the significance of these decisions in prioritizing the safety and security of Canadians. The actions align with similar moves made by international allies such as the United Kingdom and the United States, reflecting the efforts of the Syrian transitional government to enhance stability, promote inclusivity, and ensure the security of its citizens. These steps also aim to collaborate with global partners in bolstering regional stability and combating terrorism.
A delegation from the United Nations Security Council, representing the 15 member states, conducted a visit to Syria on Thursday. Samuel Zbogar, the permanent representative of Slovenia to the U.N. and current Security Council president, expressed the delegation’s intention to foster trust and acknowledged progress made during the visit. The delegation engaged with high-ranking officials including al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, as well as interacted with local UN personnel, Syrian civil society representatives, religious leaders, and communities impacted by sectarian conflicts earlier this year.
Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump met with al-Shaara at the White House following the removal of sanctions against the interim president.