Canada has officially removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, the country’s Foreign Ministry announced Friday.
In a statement, the ministry said the decision comes after a thorough review and also includes the removal of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from Canada’s list of designated terrorist entities. The move aligns with recent actions by the United Kingdom and the United States and reflects efforts by Syria’s transitional government to promote stability and cooperate with international partners on counter-terrorism initiatives.
Foreign Minister Anita Anand welcomed the development, noting that it recognises “positive steps” by the Syrian government towards a peaceful, Syrian-led political transition since the departure of Bashar al-Assad last year. She added that Canada remains committed to addressing global security threats, including those posed by al-Qaeda and ISIS.
Syria responded positively to the announcement, describing it as “a constructive and encouraging step” that acknowledges the negative impact of sanctions on Syrian citizens and critical sectors. The Syrian Foreign Ministry said the decision opens the way for closer Syrian-Canadian cooperation and pledged to continue working with international partners on reconstruction and economic recovery, while supporting regional and global stability.
Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which was one of the main armed groups opposing Assad’s forces during the civil war, was previously led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, who now heads Syria’s transitional administration. The transitional government took office in January following Assad’s departure to Russia last December, ending nearly 60 years of Baath Party rule.
Canada continues to enforce sanctions on 56 Syrian entities and 225 individuals, mostly former officials from the Assad regime, though limited relief measures have been introduced. Earlier this year, Ottawa issued a general permit easing certain economic restrictions, valid until 23 February 2026.
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The U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio sharply condemned the European Commission’s decision to fine American social media company X €120 million (approximately $140 million), calling it an assault on U.S. technology companies and their users.
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border late on Friday, a reminder of how sensitive the frontier remains despite ongoing diplomatic efforts.
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