The UK had previously imposed sanctions on the two officials over alleged links to international terrorist organizations Al-Qaeda and the so-called Islamic State (IS).

Ahmad al-Sharaa assumed the role of Syria’s interim president in January 2025 after forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham launched an offensive that overthrew the government of President Bashar al-Assad.

In 2014, the United Nations also imposed sanctions on al-Sharaa for alleged ties to international terrorist groups. However, these measures were lifted on November 6.