Amr Armanazi, far right, and his sons Bisher, second from left, and Zayd, second from right

Syria’s alleged chemical weapons chief, whose facilities were the main target of yesterday’s allied airstrikes, boasts extensive ties to Britain, including two sons who work in the City as investment bankers.

Amr Armanazi is under US and European Union sanctions for his role as director-general of Syria’s Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), the alleged hub of President Bashar al-Assad’s chemical weapons programme.

His blacklisting has not stopped family members from enjoying British life, including, in some cases, gaining citizenship as Syria’s civil war raged on.

Armanazi’s sons, Zayd, 37, and Bisher, 34, came to Britain to study at Imperial College London, before embarking on lucrative banking careers. His older brother, Ghayth, 75, a former ambassador for the Arab League, also lives in London.

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