Date: 2 November 2026
Category: International Sanctions | AML/CFT | Regulatory Updates
Overview
On 15 October 2026, the United Nations Security Council’s ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee announced amendments to three entries on its sanctions list under Security Council resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015).
The amendments concern two individuals and one entity. These entries remain subject to the applicable targeted sanctions measures, including asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargoes, as established under paragraph 1 of Security Council Resolution 2734 (2024).
The announcement was published as UN Security Council Press Release SC/16480.
1. Details of the Amended Entries
The three amended entries are as follows:
A. Individuals
1. Mounir El Motassadeq (Reference No. QDi.082)
The Committee updated the individual's address information. The previous reference to imprisonment in Germany was replaced with Marrakesh, Morocco. The entry records 15 October 2026 as a further amendment date.
2. Noor Wali Mehsud (Reference No. QDi.427)
The Committee amended the individual's sanctions-list entry on 15 October 2026. The listing identifies Noor Wali Mehsud as the leader of Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
B. Entity
3. Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) (Reference No. QDe.132)
The Committee updated the entity's entry to reflect the amendment dated 15 October 2026. The updated information identifies Noor Wali Mehsud as its leader and removes the reference to former leader Maulana Fazlullah from the relevant entry.
2. Applicable Sanctions Measures
Under the relevant Security Council resolutions, individuals and entities designated on the ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List are subject to targeted sanctions measures, including:
Asset Freeze: Freezing without delay the funds, financial assets and economic resources owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by designated individuals and entities, in accordance with the applicable sanctions requirements.
Travel Ban: Preventing designated individuals from entering or transiting through the territories of UN Member States, subject to applicable exceptions.
Arms Embargo: Preventing the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materials to designated individuals and entities, in accordance with the applicable measures.
The detailed requirements and applicable exemptions are available through the UN Security Council's official sanctions website.
3. Implications for Financial Institutions and Regulated Entities
The amendment highlights the importance of maintaining effective sanctions-screening and compliance procedures.
Financial institutions, banks, insurance companies, money service businesses, designated non-financial businesses and other regulated entities should consider the following measures:
Update Sanctions Screening Systems: Ensure that customer screening databases and sanctions-screening systems reflect the latest amendments to the UN sanctions lists.
Review Existing Customers: Conduct appropriate screening of existing customers, beneficial owners, directors, authorised representatives and relevant business relationships against updated sanctions information.
Screen New Customers: Incorporate updated sanctions information into customer onboarding and ongoing due diligence procedures.
Investigate Potential Matches: Investigate potential matches carefully using reliable identifiers, including names, aliases, dates of birth, nationality and other available information, to distinguish genuine matches from false positives.
Take Appropriate Action: Where a confirmed match is identified, comply with applicable asset-freezing, reporting and other legal obligations under the relevant domestic laws and regulatory requirements.
Maintain Records: Retain appropriate records of sanctions screening, investigations, decisions and actions taken.
Organisations should also establish procedures for monitoring future amendments to the UN Security Council Consolidated List and relevant sanctions regimes.
4. Access to the Updated Sanctions Lists
The United Nations Security Council maintains official sanctions information and regularly updates its lists following decisions of the relevant committees.
Organisations should consult the official sources below:
ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List: The list of individuals and entities designated under the relevant sanctions regime.
UN Security Council Consolidated List: The consolidated list of individuals and entities subject to Security Council sanctions measures.
Narrative Summaries: Information explaining the reasons for the listing of designated individuals and entities.
Conclusion
The amendments announced under Press Release SC/16480 reinforce the importance of continuous sanctions monitoring and effective AML/CFT compliance controls.
Organisations should ensure that their sanctions-screening procedures, customer due diligence processes and internal compliance systems remain up to date with the latest United Nations Security Council sanctions information.
Failure to identify and appropriately address sanctions-related exposure may result in legal, regulatory, financial and reputational risks.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general information and compliance awareness purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. Organisations should refer to the applicable domestic laws, regulatory requirements and official United Nations publications when determining their specific obligations.
References and Official Resources
United Nations Security Council Press Release SC/16480 (15 October 2026):
https://press.un.org/en/2026/sc16480.doc.htm
UN ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List:
https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list
UN Security Council Consolidated Sanctions List:
https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/content/un-sc-consolidated-list
Narrative Summaries of Reasons for Listing:
https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/1267/aq_sanctions_list/summaries
Sanctions Measures and Exemptions:
https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/1267#further_information