FCDO updates travel advice for Middle East
The UK government advisory is in response to recent US and UK airstrikes on Houthi militants in Yemen
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has updated its guidance on travel to the Middle East following the launch of airstrikes by the US and UK on targets in Yemen.
The FCDO stated that “military action is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea”.
While it noted that currently “the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice”.
The new advice applies to countries such as Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, and should be applied on top of other travel advisories issued for each respective country.
The government agency also recommended that travellers to the region “continue to monitor travel advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities”.
The FCDO also updated its travel advice for visitors to South Africa in November, in light of a spate of recent attacks on hikers and tourists.