Prime Minister Justin Trudeau believes that a new era for Syria can now begin, one that is free from terrorism and suffering for its people.
In a social media post on X on Sunday, Trudeau stated that the fall of the Assad regime marks the end of decades of brutal oppression.
Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country on Sunday and is currently reported to be in Moscow, bringing an end to his nearly 14-year struggle to maintain control as the nation was torn apart by a brutal civil war.
The ousting of Assad occurred as opposition forces took over the Syrian capital of Damascus, putting an end to his family’s five-decade rule.
Trudeau emphasized that Canada is closely monitoring the transition and urged for “order, stability, and respect for human rights” in the region.
Ottawa is advising Canadians to avoid all travel to Syria and to consider leaving the country if it is safe to do so.
Related Stories
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre expressed at a news conference on Sunday that Assad “served as a puppet for the tyrants of Tehran.”
“He has committed genocides against the Sunni population in his own nation, and now it seems he has been overthrown,” Poilievre remarked in Ottawa.
Poilievre highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Assad’s successor, stating that it is not Canada’s battle and that he does not believe Canada should intervene.
“We should stand with our allies, particularly Israel, against the terrorists. Our focus should be on safeguarding our own nation.”
Ottawa has described the security situation as precarious, noting that the Damascus and Aleppo airports, as well as certain border crossings, are currently closed.
An updated travel advisory issued by the Canadian government cautions against traveling to the Middle Eastern country due to what it describes as “ongoing armed conflict, terrorism, criminality, arbitrary detention, torture and forced disappearance.”
Canada has been advising its citizens to leave Syria since November 2011, and its embassy in Damascus suspended operations back in 2012.
