Canada’s response to the situation in Syria

On December 8, 2024, armed forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former opposition group that was officially dissolved in January 2025, succeeded in ending the rule of the Assad regime. Subsequently, a transitional government was formed under the leadership of Ahmed al-Sharaa to govern Syria. While the transitional government is working to consolidate authority and restore stability, several areas remain under the control of various armed groups and local actors, leaving the security landscape fluid and highly complex.

Since 2011, the humanitarian needs in Syria have reached unprecedented levels. Over 16 million people, approximately 70% of the country’s population, continue to urgently require humanitarian assistance. It is estimated that well over 250,000 people died in the civil war, with thousands more wounded. The civil war led to the internal displacement of over 7.2 million Syrians and over 6.2 million Syrian refugees, many of which are located in neighbouring countries such as Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Türkiye.

On this page

• Emergency contact information for Canadians and permanent residents
• How Canada is helping
• Canada’s position
• News
• Related links

Emergency contact information for Canadians and permanent residents

Canada has not had a diplomatic presence in Syria since it closed its embassy in Damascus in 2012. The ability of the Embassy of Canada to Lebanon, in Beirut, to provide consular and other support throughout Syria remains extremely limited.

The Government of Canada has advised Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria since 2011. Those who are in Syria despite this advice are advised to exercise extreme caution at all times and shelter in place until they can identify safe means to leave the country.

The situation at border crossings remains unpredictable. Those wishing to leave should verify the status of the border crossing before they travel.

Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact Global Affairs Canada's 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre:

• Telephone: +1‑613‑996‑8885 (collect calls are accepted where available)
• Text: +1‑613‑686‑3658
• WhatsApp: +1‑613‑909‑8881
• Signal: +1‑613‑909‑8087
• Email: sos@international.gc.ca

We urge all Canadians in Syria to check Travel advice for Syria regularly for updates and to sign up with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service to receive important information about the situation.

How Canada is helping

Since 2016, Canada has committed more than $4.7 billion in funding for Syria and the region, including significant humanitarian, development, and stabilization assistance.

Canada’s humanitarian assistance is delivered in Syria and the region through experienced humanitarian partners such as the United Nations, NGOs and the Red Cross, and helps provide food; protection services, including the prevention, mitigation and response to gender-based violence; water, sanitation and hygiene services; and health services, including the provision of and right to access sexual and reproductive health care. Development assistance funding is allocated through existing projects in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon that benefit Syrian refugees living in these countries and strengthen these countries’ ability to welcome more Syrians who have been displaced.

Canada is providing stabilization and security-related assistance to address the impact of the Syrian crisis, both in Syria and in the region. These funds promote peacebuilding and social cohesion initiatives that support the reintegration of displaced Syrians, contribute to mine action efforts, help mitigate the threat of chemical weapons and other weapons and materials of mass destruction; assist Jordanian security forces in managing the non-humanitarian aspects of the influx of Syrian refugees, and; contribute to Jordan’s counter-terrorism capacity. Further, in February 2025, the Minister of Foreign Affairs enacted a six-month sanctions-exemption general permit allowing all Canadians and persons in Canada to provide financial or related services to, or within Syria, when they are done in support of democratization, stabilization and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to or within Syria. This general permit, which was renewed in August 2025, is currently valid until February 23, 2026.

Refugee resettlement

Canada has resettled more than 100,000 Syrian refugees since 2015, consisting of government-supported, privately sponsored, and blended visa office-referred refugees. We acknowledge the ongoing events in Syria and reaffirm our commitment to the Syrian people. Find out more about Canada’s refugee system.

Canada’s position

Canada welcomed the end of Syria’s Assad regime, which inflicted decades of suffering on its own people. This event marked a significant turning point for the Syrian people, who endured unimaginable hardship under the rule of Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad.

Canada has resumed diplomatic engagement with the Syrian Transitional Government and remains committed to supporting the Syrian people. We will continue to advocate for the protection of human rights, including for all ethnic and religious minorities, and urge all parties to work toward an inclusive political and economic transition. In this period, we call on all actors to refrain from violence, respect Syria’s sovereignty, and uphold human dignity to foster dialogue and lasting peace.

Canada also remains committed to holding the Syrian state accountable before the International Court of Justice for the torture and cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment and punishment of its own people during the Assad era.

News

Related links

• Embassy of Canada to Lebanon
• Travel advice and advisories - Syria
• Registration of Canadians Abroad
• Request emergency consular assistance
• Canada and Syria