Overview
- Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said Canada removed Syria from its list of foreign state supporters of terrorism and delisted Hay’at Tahrir al‑Sham after an extensive review.
- Canada is keeping targeted measures in place, maintaining sanctions on 56 entities and 225 individuals and extending a general permit that allows financial services for stabilization and humanitarian work through February 23, 2026.
- A United Nations Security Council delegation visited Damascus this week, meeting President Ahmed al‑Sharaa, senior officials and communities affected by recent sectarian violence.
- The United States, United Kingdom and European Union have eased major sanctions, Washington removed Sharaa from terrorism lists after White House meetings, and Damascus says investment deals for infrastructure, transport and energy are underway.
- Analysts warn domestic stabilization lags as Syria confronts mass-casualty sectarian attacks reported in Alawite and Druze areas, an uneven security apparatus, stalled efforts to integrate the Kurdish northeast and persistent blackouts and drought-driven food strain.