Trudeau congratulates new Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, despite him being head of terrorist group

[oil&gas]

The group, which Canada has listed as a terrorist organization since 2013, toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad last December

Dylan Robertson
Feb 13, 2025

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau congratulated Syria’s interim president today, despite him leading a group Canada still designates as a terrorist organization.

Ahmed al-Sharaa leads Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group Canada has listed as a terrorist organization since 2013.

That group, often called HTS, toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad last December, ending a brutal dictatorship that was supported by the Russian government.

Al-Sharaa now leads the country and has hinted at aiming for a multicultural society, despite pledging for years to install an Islamic theocracy.

Trudeau’s office says he spoke today with Al-Sharaa, and “offered congratulations on the success of ending the Assad regime.”

The Prime Minister’s Office has been asked whether Canada plans to remove HTS from the terror listing.

Trudeau congratulates new Syrian interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, despite him being head of terrorist group

The group, which Canada has listed as a terrorist organization since 2013, toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad last December.

nationalpost.com

 

[Kusa]

Be not too quick to judgement; terrorists according to who? Not the Syrians but the West.

Ahmed al-Sharaa is no Mandela or Gandhi but both were considered terrorists at some point during their struggle against oppression.

 

[seanzo]

Be not too quick to judgement

The guy was first part of Al Qaeda, then ISIS, then Al Nusra and now he's part of HTS. Some of those groups greatest hits include, 9/11, the London metro bombings, Madrid metro bombings, mass murder of ethnic minorities in northern Iraq, throwing gays off buildings and a myriad of other dastardly deeds. He is a terrorist by definition of his actions

 

[Frankfooter]

The guy was first part of Al Qaeda, then ISIS, then Al Nusra and now he's part of HTS. Some of those groups greatest hits include, 9/11, the London metro bombings, Madrid metro bombings, mass murder of ethnic minorities in northern Iraq, throwing gays off buildings and a myriad of other dastardly deeds. He is a terrorist by definition of his actions

But now working with Israel so its supposed to be ok.

 

[Kusa]

The guy was first part of Al Qaeda, then ISIS, then Al Nusra and now he's part of HTS. Some of those groups greatest hits include, 9/11, the London metro bombings, Madrid metro bombings, mass murder of ethnic minorities in northern Iraq, throwing gays off buildings and a myriad of other dastardly deeds. He is a terrorist by definition of his actions

The definition of terrorism is fluid and often depends on who is doing the defining.

Recall what Sen. Graham said and implied that international criminal standards are not meant for "us"! Who defines the international criminal standards and who is "us"?

Mandela and Gandhi were imprisoned under charges of "terrorism." Would you label G. Bush and T. Blair as terrorist? Likely not, but ask the Iraqis for their definition of a terrorist...

And what would you call a nation responsible for genocide, bombing countries like Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen, killing innocent civilians—including women and children—and using starvation as a weapon of war, has a leader who is a war criminal? And now supported by another country to forcefully remove inhabitants of the land.

According to many Western standards, it would likely be labeled a thriving democracy and a key ally. But an ally to what, exactly?

 

[seanzo]

The definition of terrorism is fluid and often depends on who is doing the defining.

Recall what Sen. Graham said and implied that international criminal standards are not meant for "us"! Who defines the international criminal standards and who is "us"?

Mandela and Gandhi were imprisoned under charges of "terrorism." Would you label G. Bush and T. Blair as terrorist? Likely not, but ask the Iraqis for their definition of a terrorist...

And what would you call a nation responsible for genocide, bombing countries like Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Yemen, killing innocent civilians—including women and children—and using starvation as a weapon of war, has a leader who is a war criminal? And now supported by another country to forcefully remove inhabitants of the land.

According to many Western standards, it would likely be labeled a thriving democracy and a key ally. But an ally to what, exactly?

You are splitting hairs over a man who wouldn't piss on you if your hair was on fire and for the record; yes Lindsay Graham, G.W. Bush, Blair and Zionists can all be labeled as such. While we're at it throw Obama, Biden and Trump into the pile