The sons of Syria's alleged chemical weapons chief whose facilities were targeted by allied airstrikes are wealthy investment bankers living in luxury London properties.

Amr Armanazi, 74, runs Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Centre, which is said to be the hub of President Bashar al-Assad's chemical weapons programme.

It was targeted by airstrikes after Theresa May, Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron responded to a chemical attack by the Assad regime which killed 75 people.

And it has now emerged that the sons of Mr Armanazi reportedly both live in Britain - despite their father being blacklisted by the UK and US.

Amr Armanazi, 74, (left) is director general at Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Centre

The Damascus sky lights up with missile fire as the US, Britain and France launch an attack on Syria

Zayd, 37, and his younger brother Bisher, 34, are said to have studied at Imperial College London and now both work for banks in the City of London.

Their uncle - Mr Armanazi's older brother, Ghayth, 75, also lives in London and is the former ambassador of the Arab League, reports The Sunday Times.

Zayd was granted British citizenship in 2009 - before the Syrian conflict started - however Bisher and Ghayth gained citizenship in 2013. They all live in the capital with their families, according to the newspaper.

Last year, the US Department of the Treasury said the Scientific Studies and Research Centre was 'responsible for producing 'non-conventional weapons'.

It said: 'It is the Syrian government agency responsible for developing and producing non-conventional weapons and the means to deliver them.

'These 271 SSRC employees have expertise in chemistry and related disciplines and/or have worked in support of SSRC's chemical weapons program since at least 2012.'

The department also said the centre was used by al-Assad for a 'horrific chemical weapons attack on innocent civilian men, women and children' when describing an incident in 2017.

It added that the centre 'focuses on the development of biological weapons, chemical weapons and missiles' and that Armanazi 'oversaw a facility which was involved in the production of sarin nerve agent'.

Mr Armanazi was placed under sanctions by the US in September 2012 and two years later was banned from travelling to Europe after additional sanctions were imposed by the UK and EU.

Theresa May, pictured at a press conference yesterday, is facing a backlash over the Syrian bombing after not going to Parliament for a vote first

President Trump (pictured addressing the nation on the airstrikes on Friday) has vowed to carry out further airstrikes on Syria if the regime dares to use chemical weapons again

The EU sanction lists the reasons for imposing the order on Mr Armanazi.

It said: '(He is) The Director General of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Centre, responsible for providing support to the Syrian army for the acquisition of equipment used directly for the surveillance and repression of demonstrators.

'Responsible for the violent repression of the civilian population; supports the regime.'

Mr Armanazi has always denied any wrongdoing and his brother Ghayth said he 'handles just normal civilian operations'.

Ghayth is said to own a £1.2million flat in Fulham and a £1.5million flat in nearby West Kensington.

Bisher lives in a £1.1million flat in West Kensington and previously told the Sunday Times that chemical attacks in Syria are 'heinous crimes'.

His older brother Zayd lives in a £700,000 flat in Putney, south west London.

MailOnline has contacted the Home Office for comment.