The Foreign Office has warned there is a “high threat” of terrorist attack globally as the Middle East conflict escalates. Some airlines have cancelled Dubai flights to and from the UK.
It was issued just before Iran’s firing of close to 200 missiles towards Israel. While there is no current travel ban for the United Arab Emirates (UAE), British holidaymakers are advised to stay vigilant as ‘the situation is changing fast’.
The UAE airlines Emirates and Flydubai have cancelled some flights from Dubai to the UK, Oman and Kuwait, as well as to Iraq, Iran and Jordan. Flydubai announced on Friday morning the resumption of flights to Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Jordan starting today. Flights to Beirut remain suspended until October 7.
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The Foreign Office advice site for people travelling to the United Arab Emirates says: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.”
Israel has been pursuing a ground incursion into Lebanon against Hezbollah while conducting strikes in Gaza that killed dozens, including children. The Israeli military said eight soldiers have died in the conflict in southern Lebanon.
Iran’s ambassador to the UN has said his country launched nearly 200 missiles at Israel on Tuesday as a deterrent to further Israeli violence, while his Israeli counterpart called the barrage an “unprecedented act of aggression”.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate but President Joe Biden said he does not expect Israel to retaliate immediately against Iran and rejected the suggestion the US would grant permission for such an attack.
The Foreign Office general advice adds: “Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.”
Furthermore, authorities have highlighted a ‘high’ risk of terrorism in the UAE, which may affect ‘UK interests and British nationals’. Tourist attractions such as beaches, hotels, eateries and ‘crowded places’ are identified as possible targets,.Targets may include:
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residential compounds
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military sites
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oil
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transport
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aviation interests
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crowded places
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restaurants
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hotels
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beaches
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shopping centres
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places of worship
“Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals,” the advice adds. “Maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and at public events.”
The UAE isn’t the only country on the Foreign Office’s travel warning list, with Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco also among those flagged, according to Manchester Evening News. Countless Brits are now evacuating Lebanon amid Sir Keir Starmer’s fears over a “regional war”.
For anyone travelling to Egypt, they advise against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum, where they advise against all but essential travel. They also advise against all travel to the North Sinai Governorate.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, except for:
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Luxor, Qina, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings
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the Faiyum Governorate
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the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh
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the Marsa Matruh-Siwa road
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the oasis town of Siwa
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the Giza Governorate north-east of the Bahariya Oasis
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the road between Giza and Farafra (but FCDO advises against all but essential travel on the road between Bahariya and Siwa)
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Bahariya Oasis, Farafra, the White Desert and Black Desert
Iran’s attack this week was reportedly ‘the largest ballistic missile barrage on a state in history’. It came in response to the ongoing bloodshed in Palestine and killings of senior Hamas, Hezbollah, and Revolutionary Guard figures.
Health officials estimate that more than 40,000 people have now died in Gaza over the past 10 months.
A full list of Foreign Office travel alerts are for Egypt; Bahrain; Algeria; UAE; Tunisia; Syria; Jordan; Iraq; Israel; The Occupied Palestinian Territories; Qatar; Oman; Morocco; Libya; Iran; Kuwait; Saudi Arabia; Yemen and Lebanon.