The ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Regime is administered by the United Nations Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015). It is the UN's principal counter-terrorism sanctions framework, targeting individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and their affiliates worldwide.
The regime imposes three mandatory measures on all UN Member States with respect to listed parties:
- An assets freeze covering all funds and economic resources owned or controlled directly or indirectly by listed individuals or entities;
- A travel ban preventing entry into or transit through Member State territory;
- An arms embargo prohibiting the supply, sale or transfer of weapons and related materiel, as well as technical assistance.
Originally created by resolution 1267 (1999) to pressure the Taliban over the harbouring of Usama bin Laden, the regime was progressively expanded after 9/11 to cover Al-Qaida globally. Resolution 1988 (2011) split off a separate Taliban-focused sanctions list, while resolution 1989 (2011) narrowed the residual list to Al-Qaida. Resolution 2253 (2015), adopted after the rise of the so-called Islamic State, formally renamed the regime to include ISIL (Da'esh) and broadened its scope to address foreign terrorist fighter flows and terrorism financing, including through oil smuggling and antiquities trafficking.
The Committee is supported by a Monitoring Team of independent experts that produces periodic public reports on the threat posed by ISIL and Al-Qaida. Listing decisions are taken by consensus among the 15 Council members. To address due-process concerns about indefinite listings, resolution 1904 (2009) created the Office of the Ombudsperson, which independently reviews delisting petitions submitted by listed individuals and entities — a mechanism unique within the UN sanctions architecture.
The Consolidated Sanctions List is updated regularly and is the operational reference used by banks, border authorities and exporters for compliance screening.
Example
In 2015, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 2253, expanding the former Al-Qaida sanctions list to formally cover ISIL (Da'esh) and its financing networks, including illicit oil trade.
Frequently asked questions
They were a single list until resolution 1988 (2011) separated them. The Taliban list (1988 regime) targets parties threatening peace in Afghanistan, while the 1267/1989/2253 list targets ISIL and Al-Qaida affiliates globally.
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