Canada has taken a major step in reshaping its foreign policy toward the Middle East by officially removing Syria from its list of states that sponsor terrorism. The decision, announced on December 6, 2025, marks a significant shift in Ottawa’s approach to the war-torn country and follows similar moves by the United States and the United Kingdom. The announcement comes as Syria approaches the first anniversary of the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, whose regime had been synonymous with repression and violence for over a decade.
Syria was first designated as a terrorism-supporting state by Canada in 2012, at the height of the brutal civil war that erupted after Assad’s violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests. The conflict, which began in March 2011, led to nearly half a million deaths and forced half of Syria’s pre-war population of 23 million from their homes, according to CBC. For years, the war’s devastation and Assad’s iron grip on power left Syria isolated on the global stage, subject to a web of sanctions and diplomatic boycotts.
But the country’s political landscape has changed dramatically since the fall of Assad in late 2024. Now at the helm is interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a figure with a complex past: once an Islamist insurgent leader and head of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an offshoot and former affiliate of al-Qaeda. Since assuming power, al-Sharaa has sought to distance himself from his militant roots. In 2016, he publicly severed ties with al-Qaeda, dropped his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Julani, and began promoting a vision of a tolerant, inclusive Syria, as reported by CBC and Al Jazeera.
Canada’s Foreign Ministry addressed the gravity of the decision to delist Syria, stating, “These measures are in line with recent decisions taken by our allies, including the United Kingdom and the United States, and follow the efforts by the Syrian transitional government to advance Syria’s stability, build an inclusive and secure future for its citizens, and work alongside global partners to reinforce regional stability and counter terrorism.” The ministry emphasized, “These decisions were not taken lightly; the safety and security of Canadians will remain paramount.”
Alongside Syria’s removal from the terror list, Canada also revoked the terrorist designation for HTS, the group that led the alliance instrumental in toppling Assad. HTS, once notorious for its al-Qaeda links, has been similarly delisted by several Western nations in an effort to facilitate engagement with Syria’s new leadership. The move is not without controversy, given the group’s violent past, but Western governments have argued that engagement is necessary to encourage continued moderation and stability.
Despite these gestures of normalization, Canada has made it clear that not all is forgiven or forgotten. Sanctions remain in place against 56 Syrian individuals, including former officials from the Assad regime and members of his family, as reported by CBC. These sanctions serve as a reminder of the atrocities committed during the civil war and a warning against any backsliding into authoritarianism or violence.
The United States has also been recalibrating its stance toward Syria. In June 2025, Washington partially suspended sanctions against the country, and in November, extended the suspension after a series of meetings between al-Sharaa and U.S. officials at the White House. Notably, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed al-Sharaa to the White House last month, a move that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Prior to these diplomatic overtures, the U.S. had removed al-Sharaa from its list of "specially designated global terrorists."
The international community has responded to these changes with cautious optimism. On December 4, 2025, a delegation of representatives from all 15 member states of the United Nations Security Council visited Syria. According to CBC, the group met with President al-Sharaa, Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, and other cabinet members in Damascus. The delegation also engaged with local UN staff, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and communities affected by sectarian violence earlier this year, particularly along the coast and in southern Syria’s Sweida province.
Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia’s permanent representative to the UN and president of the Security Council, told journalists in Damascus that the visit was intended to “build trust.” He added, “I hope that today we made a step forward.” The presence of the entire Security Council in Syria signals a willingness among global powers to re-engage with the country, albeit with a healthy dose of skepticism about its future trajectory.
President al-Sharaa has wasted little time in trying to reshape Syria’s image. Earlier this year, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, declaring that Syria is “reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world” and expressing a desire to strengthen economic ties with both the U.S. and the European Union. His government has made overtures to international investors and emphasized a commitment to inclusion and moderation, though critics warn that the transition from warlord to statesman is rarely straightforward.
The question on many observers’ minds is whether Syria’s transformation is genuine and sustainable. Some Western officials and analysts remain wary, pointing to al-Sharaa’s past as a militant leader and the deeply entrenched divisions within Syrian society. Others argue that the country has little choice but to move forward, given the immense human and economic toll of the conflict. The removal of the terror designation, they contend, is both a carrot and a test: an incentive for continued reform, but also a signal that the world is watching closely.
For Syrians themselves, the changes offer a glimmer of hope after years of bloodshed and displacement. Many are cautiously optimistic about the prospect of reintegration into the international community and the possibility of rebuilding their shattered country. However, the legacy of the war—and the challenges of reconciliation, reconstruction, and justice—loom large.
As Canada, the United States, and other Western nations recalibrate their policies, the world will be watching to see whether Syria’s new leadership can deliver on its promises of stability, inclusion, and peace. The stakes could hardly be higher, both for the region and for the millions of Syrians whose lives have been shaped by a decade of conflict. For now, the removal of Syria from Canada’s terror list marks a new chapter—one that is being written in cautious, deliberate steps, with the scars of the past never far from view.