**Executive Summary**
This document from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), dated November 14, 2025, informs Regulated Entities (REs) about updates to the UNSC's ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List, specifically the delisting of two individuals. REs are required to adhere to Section 51A of the UAPA, 1967 and follow KYC guidelines. REs are instructed to ensure meticulous compliance with UNSC communications.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Delisting Announcement:**
* The UNSC has decided to remove two individuals from the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions list.
* The individuals delisted are Ahmed al-Sharaa (Ahmad Hussain Al-Sharaa (QDi.317)) and Anas Hasan Khattab (QDi.336).
* **Regulatory Compliance:**
* REs must ensure compliance with Section 51A of the UAPA, 1967, as per paragraph 51 of the RBI Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated February 25, 2016.
* REs are advised to take appropriate action in terms of paragraph 51 of the MD on KYC and strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021 (amended on April 22, 2024) annexed to the MD on KYC.
* REs must not have any account in the name of individuals/entities appearing in the lists of individuals and entities suspected of having terrorist links approved by UNSC.
* **Information Sources:**
* The UNSC press release SC/16214 dated November 06, 2025, related to the delisting, is available online.
* Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida, and Taliban are available at specified URLs.
* **Delisting Request Procedures:**
* Any de-listing request received by an RE must be forwarded electronically to the Joint Secretary (CTCR), MHA for consideration, as per MHA instructions.
* Individuals/entities seeking removal from the Sanctions List can submit their request to the Ombudsperson appointed by the UN Secretary-General, with details available online.
**Impact Analysis**
**Regulated Entities (REs)**
* **Impact:** REs are responsible for updating their records and ensuring compliance with the delisting of the two individuals from the sanctions list. They must adhere to existing KYC and UAPA guidelines.
* **Action Required:** Update internal records, review customer databases, ensure compliance with UAPA Order dated February 02, 2021, and follow procedures for forwarding de-listing requests. Ensure meticulous compliance with UNSC communications.
Key Entities Referenced
Section 51A of UAPA, 1967: Section of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, related to restrictions and regulations.
UNSC's 1267/1989 ISIL (Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List: Sanctions list maintained by the United Nations Security Council concerning ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida.
RBI Master Direction on Know Your Customer: Master Direction issued by the Reserve Bank of India related to Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines, relevant to financial institutions.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): Informs about the UNSC press release SC/16214 dated November 06, 2025
RBI/2025-26/97
DOR. AML.REC. 61 /14.06.001/2025-26 November 14, 2025
The Chairpersons/ CEOs of all the Regulated Entities
Madam/Dear Sir,
Implementation of Section 51A of UAPA,1967: Updates to UNSC’s 1267/ 1989 ISIL
(Da'esh) & Al-Qaida Sanctions List: Delisting of 02 Entries
Please refer to paragraph 51 of the RBI Master Direction on Know Your Customer dated
February 25, 2016 as amended on August 14, 2025 (MD on KYC), in terms of which
“Regulated Entities (REs) shall ensure that in terms of Section 51A of the Unlawful
Activities (Prevention) (UAPA) Act, 1967 and amendments thereto, they do not have any
account in the name of individuals/entities appearing in the lists of individuals and
entities, suspected of having terrorist links, which are approved by and periodically
circulated by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).”
2. In this connection, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India has
informed about the UNSC press release SC/16214 dated November 06, 2025 wherein
the Security Council Committee has decided to remove two individuals from its Islamic
State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da’esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions list.
2.1 The Committee recalling its previous resolutions on the Syrian Arab Republic and
those relating to the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime, including 1267 (1999),
1989 (2011), 2178 (2014), 2253 (2015), 2368 (2017), 2396 (2017), 2462 (2019), 2664
(2022), 2734 (2024), and 2761 (2024), as well as the main principles and objectives
embodied in its resolution 2254 (2015), adopted Resolution 2799 (2025) under Chapter
VII of the Charter of the United Nations:
Deciding that Ahmed al-Sharaa, included on the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida
Sanctions List as Ahmad Hussain Al-Sharaa (QDi.317), and Anas Hasan
Khattab (QDi.336) are delisted from the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida
Sanctions List.
विवियमि विभाग, केंद्रीय कायाालय, केंद्रीय कायाालय भिि, 12िी/ीं 13िी ींमींव़िल, शहीद भगत व ींह मागा, फोर्ा, म ींबई- 400001
र्ेलीफोि/ Tel No: 22661602, 22601000 फैक्स/ Fax No: 022-2270 5691
Department of Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 12th/ 13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai - 400001
"Caution: RBI never sends mails, SMSs or makes calls asking for personal information like bank account details, passwords, etc. It never keeps or offers funds to anyone. Please
do not respond in any manner to such offers."2
3. Press release dated November 06, 2025 regarding the above can be found at
https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc16214.doc.htm
The details of the sanction measures and exemptions are available at the following
URL: https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267#further_information
4. In view of the above, REs are advised to take appropriate action in terms of paragraph
51 of the MD on KYC and strictly follow the procedure as laid down in the UAPA Order
dated February 02, 2021 (amended on April 22, 2024) annexed to the MD on KYC.
5. Updated lists of individuals and entities linked to ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and Taliban
are available at:
www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1988/materials
6. Further, as per the instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), any request
for de-listing received by any RE is to be forwarded electronically to Joint Secretary
(CTCR), MHA for consideration. Individuals, groups, undertakings or entities seeking to
be removed from the Security Council’s ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List can
submit their request for delisting to an independent and impartial Ombudsperson who
has been appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General. More details are available
at the following URL:
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/ombudsperson/application
7. REs are advised to take note of the aforementioned UNSC communications and
ensure meticulous compliance.
Yours faithfully,
(Veena Srivastava)
Chief General Manager