The Overseas Workplace has moved a number of beforehand “secure” locations into restricted classes.
Center East battle: Impacts on journey for Brits
Because the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran reaches its eleventh day, the Overseas Workplace (FCDO) is retaining a relentless watch on nations within the Center East and Europe and updating its journey recommendation. Because the conflict broke out on February 28, the FCDO has moved a number of beforehand “secure” or “inexperienced” locations into the restricted class, together with a number of key vacationer locations that Brits flock to right now of 12 months.
Whereas the conflict is between nations on the opposite aspect of the Persian Gulf, a number of nations, together with the UAE and Saudi Arabia, have been caught within the crossfire. Tons of of Iranian drones have been focusing on Gulf nations because the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) continues strikes on US property.
The Overseas Workplace has moved a number of beforehand ‘secure’ locations into restricted classes (Picture: Getty)
The FCDO advises Brits within the UAE to restrict journey to important journeys solely (Picture: Getty)
United Arab Emirates
In its most up-to-date replace on Monday (March 9), the FCDO, as a precautionary measure, briefly withdrew the dependents of British Embassy workers from the UAE, although the embassies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai proceed to function as regular.
The newest FCDO steering for the UAE reads: “If native authorities advise you to take shelter, keep indoors or transfer to the closest secure constructing instantly. The best threat is from falling particles brought on by intercepts, and you’re most secure inside a safe construction. Select an inside stairwell or a room with as few exterior partitions or home windows as potential for extra safety.
“Restrict your actions to important journeys solely. When journey is unavoidable, goal to maneuver throughout daytime and keep away from crowded venues. All the time let mates or household know the place you’re and if you end up travelling, and maintain your cell phone with you and charged.
“In case you are away from your house or resort, and an assault happens otherwise you obtain an alert from the official UAE warning system, search shelter within the closest constructing instantly.”
The FCDO additionally warns that there are “a restricted variety of industrial choices out there” for leaving the UAE, together with air journey from the UAE and Oman.
“In case your presence in [the] UAE just isn’t important, you might want to take into account departing – in case you choose you possibly can entry these choices safely. Verify for the newest updates out of your airline or tour operator, in addition to the directions from native authorities, and the standing of any border crossings earlier than you journey. In case you are touring by air don’t journey to the airport until your airline has confirmed your reservation.”
Jordan can be now underneath all however important journey recommendation (Picture: Getty)
Jordan
Jordan, which shares borders with Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Palestine, is now additionally underneath all however important journey recommendation. That is primarily as a result of influence of the regional battle on Jordanian airspace and safety.
“The FCDO advises in opposition to all journey to inside 3km [1.9mi] of the border with Syria,” steering reads. Nevertheless, as a result of current regional escalations, it now additionally”advises in opposition to all however important journey to all different areas of Jordan”.
British nationals in Jordan are urged to learn “steering on ‘easy methods to put together for a disaster’ with strategies on what you would possibly embrace in your emergency provides and ‘what to do in a disaster’.
“British nationals who’re attempting to depart Jordan through Saudi Arabia and who’re travelling on British Emergency Journey Paperwork, Emergency Passports, or passports with lower than 6 months remaining validity, ought to name the helplines for British Embassy Riyadh +966 (0) 11481 9100 or British Consulate Jeddah +966 (0)126225550 for recommendation.”
The FCDO up to date its recommendation following a suspected drone influence at RAF Akrotiri on March 2 (Picture: Getty)
Cyprus
Whereas there isn’t a “don’t journey” warning for the Republic of Cyprus, together with areas like Larnaca and Paphos, the FCDO has up to date its recommendation following a suspected drone influence at RAF Akrotiri on March 2.
Travellers are urged to train “smart precautions” and monitor native authorities.
“On 2 March 2026, the Sovereign Base Areas Administration confirmed a suspected drone influence at RAF Akrotiri. British nationals within the Sovereign Base Areas ought to comply with directions from the Sovereign Base Areas Administration on the British Bases Cyprus Fb.
“British nationals within the Republic of Cyprus ought to comply with any directions from Cypriot native authorities.”
The FCDO now advises in opposition to all however important journey to the Japanese Province and Riyadh Province in Jeddah (Picture: Getty)
Saudi Arabia
The FCDO’s warnings for Saudi Arabia have been expanded. Whereas it has lengthy suggested in opposition to all journey to inside 10km (6mi) of the border with Yemen and all however important journey to areas between 10km (6mi) and 80km (50mi) from the border with Yemen, the FCDO now advises in opposition to all however important journey to the Japanese Province and Riyadh Province.
“Attributable to studies of missile and drone exercise within the area, we advise British nationals in Saudi Arabia to remain inside and train elevated warning,” the newest recommendation reads. “There are studies of continued missile and drone assaults within the Japanese Province and Riyadh Province. There’s additionally a threat of shrapnel from intercepted missiles and drones falling throughout the area and inflicting additional disruption. The place out there, comply with recommendation from native authorities on easy methods to keep secure in your location as dangers might differ throughout Saudi Arabia.
“In case you are suggested to take shelter, keep indoors or discover the closest secure constructing and take exhausting cowl. An inside stairwell or a room with as few exterior partitions or home windows as potential might present further safety.”
For these intent on leaving Saudi Arabia, the FCDO says: “Industrial journey choices stay extensively out there regardless of restricted disruption and non permanent closures of airspace throughout Saudi Arabia. In the event you choose it’s secure to take action and plan to make use of industrial choices to depart examine for the newest updates out of your airline or tour operator, in addition to the directions of native authorities and the standing of any border crossings earlier than you journey. Be sure to have entry to emergency provides and important treatment. Journey inside or out of Saudi Arabia is at your personal threat.
“Maintain your departure plans underneath assessment and guarantee your journey paperwork are updated, together with any visas required for onward journey.”
The vast majority of Turkey stays secure, in response to the FCDO (Picture: Getty)
Turkey
For these with a vacation booked in Turkey, the vast majority of the nation stays underneath “secure” or “inexperienced” classes. Nevertheless, the FCDO advises in opposition to “all journey to inside 10km [6mi] of the border with Syria attributable to combating and a heightened threat of terrorism”.
As soon as once more, the FCDO advises British nationals in Turkey to learn “steering on ‘easy methods to put together for a disaster’ with strategies on what you would possibly embrace in your emergency provides and ‘what to do in a disaster’.
It additionally urges Brits to comply with recommendation from native authorities, signal as much as FCDO Journey Recommendation e-mail alerts and monitor native and worldwide media for the newest data.
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There are not any FCDO journey warnings in place in Greece as of March 10 (Picture: Getty)
Greece
Equally, in Greece, there are at the moment no FCDO journey warnings on place, following the elimination of details about mass demonstrations and widespread disruption to public companies throughout the nation on February 28.
Nevertheless, the FCDO does warn: “No journey may be assured secure. Learn all the recommendation on this information.”
It suggests studying its journey recommendation for girls, solo and impartial travellers, these with diabilities, LGBT+ travellers and people planning on volunteering and journey journey overseas.
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