Canada's Response to the Situation in Syria

On November 28, 2012, in response to the continued gravity of the situation in Syria, Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria under the Special Economic Measures Act. The measures further expand Canada’s targeted sanctions against the Syrian regime and those that provide it with support.

The measures impose an assets freeze and dealings prohibition on ten new individuals and three additional entities associated with the Assad regime.

On July 6, 2012, Canada imposed further sanctions against Syria under the Special Economic Measures Act in response to the continued gravity of the situation in Syria. The amendments impose a prohibition on the export to Syria of a number of goods that can be used for internal repression as well as in the production of chemical and biological weapons. They also impose an assets freeze and dealings prohibition on two additional entities associated with the Syrian regime.

For more information, please visit our page on economic sanctions against Syria.

Humanitarian Assistance

Travel Advice for Canadians in Syria

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to Syria due to the deteriorating security situation. We continue to advise Canadians in Syria to leave by commercial means as soon as it is safe to do so. Many airlines, including Arab League carriers, have suspended their flights from Syria. The airport in Damascus may be closed on short notice and access to the airport is increasingly limited due to security operations. Canadians are advised to contact their airline to check the status of their flight prior to travelling to the airport. We strongly recommend that Canadians register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service.

Canadians who are leaving Syria by land into Lebanon should know that we advise against all travel to the border region. Consult the Travel Advice for Lebanon and transit through this area as quickly as possible.

Canadians remaining in Syria despite this warning should limit their movements and keep abreast of the latest developments. Canadians may have little notice of violent outbreaks and risk being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Canadians are also advised to ensure that their travel documents are up to date, to register as well as to carefully follow messages issued through the ROCA service.