Canada Removes Syria from Terrorism Sponsor List, Signaling Policy Shift

In a landmark foreign policy announcement, the Government of Canada has undertaken a significant reassessment of its stance toward Syria, removing the Middle Eastern nation from its official list of foreign state sponsors of terrorism. This decision, coupled with the delisting of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, marks a pivotal shift in Canada's diplomatic engagement with a country emerging from a devastating civil war. The move reflects a broader international trend of re-evaluating Syria's status following the fall of the Assad regime and the establishment of a new transitional government.

The Official Announcement and Rationale

The decision was formally announced on December 5, 2025, through a joint statement from Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree. The ministers emphasized that the conclusions were reached after an "extensive review" and were not taken lightly, with the safety and security of Canadians remaining paramount. According to the statement published by Global News, the government stated, "These decisions were not taken lightly; the safety and security of Canadians will remain paramount for the Government of Canada." This careful wording underscores the balancing act between diplomatic engagement and national security considerations.

Context: Syria's Political Transformation

Canada's policy shift comes in the context of dramatic political changes within Syria. The toppling of Bashar al-Assad's regime brought a brutal, multi-year civil war to a close, paving the way for a new transitional government. The current president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, was previously the leader of HTS during the conflict. Al-Sharaa, who was once aligned with al-Qaida before severing ties in 2016, has publicly committed to establishing a modern democracy and an "institutional" government. He has actively sought to restore Syria's relations with Arab nations and Western countries, including high-profile meetings with U.S. President Donald Trump.

International Alignment and Remaining Challenges

Canada's move aligns it with other key international players. The United States and the United Kingdom had already lifted their terrorism designations for both Syria and HTS earlier in the year. Furthermore, the United Nations Security Council has begun the process of removing certain sanctions. However, significant hurdles remain. The toughest U.S. sanctions require Congressional approval for removal, which continues to stifle economic recovery efforts. Canada itself maintains targeted sanctions on 56 Syrian entities and 225 individuals, many of whom are senior officials from the former Assad regime. Domestically, President al-Sharaa's government faces severe tests, including violent sectarian clashes between Sunni Muslim fighters and minority Alawite and Druze communities, which have resulted in significant casualties and threaten his pledge of an inclusive political order.

Implications and Future Monitoring

The delisting represents a diplomatic opening and a vote of cautious confidence in Syria's political transition. Foreign Minister Anand noted, "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." However, Public Safety Minister Anandasangaree was clear that vigilance remains: Canada "will continue to closely monitor the situation in Syria and take measures against violent extremist or terrorist activity by ISIS and Al-Qaida that poses a threat to Canada." The policy shift is thus not an endpoint but a recalibration, acknowledging change while maintaining a framework for response to ongoing threats. It signals Canada's willingness to engage with a reformed Syrian leadership while keeping its security apparatus focused on active extremist groups.