The Syrian government has been delisted by the federal government as a state sponsor of terrorism, following the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad nearly a year ago. Syria was designated in 2012 during Assad’s rule amid a conflict that commenced in March 2011, resulting in approximately 500,000 fatalities and displacing half of the nation’s pre-war population of 23 million.
The new Syrian administration, led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former Islamist insurgent leader, has been actively working towards reintegrating the country into the global community. Concurrently, Canada has also removed al-Sharaa’s faction, the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda, from its list of terrorist organizations.
Global Affairs Canada stated, “These decisions were not made lightly, with the safety and security of Canadians remaining a top priority.” The action aligns with similar moves by allied nations such as the United Kingdom and the United States, reflecting the Syrian transitional government’s efforts to enhance stability, foster an inclusive and secure future for its populace, and collaborate with global partners to bolster regional stability and counter terrorism.
A delegation representing the 15 member states of the United Nations Security Council visited Syria recently. During a press briefing in Damascus, Samuel Zbogar, the permanent representative of Slovenia to the U.N. and council president, mentioned that the delegation’s purpose was to establish trust and expressed optimism about progress made during their visit.
The delegation held discussions with al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, and other government officials. They also engaged with local UN personnel, Syrian civil society representatives, religious leaders, and communities impacted by sectarian violence earlier this year in the coastal region and Sweida province in southern Syria.
Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump hosted al-Shaara at the White House subsequent to lifting sanctions imposed on the interim president.