Canada Reduces Sanctions Against Syria

On Wednesday, March 13, the Canadian government announced its intention to reduce sanctions against Syria for a six-month period. This statement was issued following a meeting between Melanie Joly, Canada's Foreign Minister, and Ahmad Hussein, Syria's Minister of International Development, in Ottawa. It stated that Canada will provide an additional $84 million in funding for humanitarian aid to Syria to support democratization, stability, and the delivery of aid to the country. The Canadian government emphasized that 'sanctions have been used as a tool against the Assad regime,' and that reducing sanctions will facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and support reconstruction efforts. Reuters reported that many Western countries, including Canada, had imposed extensive sanctions against Syria under the leadership of Bashar al-Assad, who fled Syria at the end of last year. The news agency also reported on Wednesday, citing three sources, that Ahmad al-Shara, the head of the new Syrian government, is expected to travel to Brussels in the coming days. A Syrian source and two diplomats familiar with the trip told Reuters that 'Ahmad al-Shara, the interim president of Syria, is expected to participate in an international financial aid conference for the country on March 18 in Brussels.' Reuters noted that this trip marks Ahmad al-Shara's first visit to Europe since he took control of the Syrian government after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad at the end of last year. The conference, hosted by the European Union, aims to 'seek international support for a comprehensive and peaceful transition' in Syria. Kamran Matin: The new agreement in Syria has the potential to meet the demands of the Kurds. Ahmad al-Shara is going to Brussels to seek financial aid for Syria. The U.S. welcomed the agreement between the Kurds and Damascus within the framework of a 'unified Syria.'