British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Israel needed to think “with its heads and hearts” and urged it not to retaliate against Iran’s drone and missile attacks. The early Sunday morning attacks have raised fears of escalation to a broader regional war in the Middle East, but Israeli officials said 99% of the more than 300 drones and missiles were intercepted.
Iran said the attack was in retaliation for the April 1 Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, which killed seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officers, including two senior commanders. Announced. Israel has managed to thwart Tehran’s attack with its air defense systems, with military support from Britain and the United States, and Prime Minister David Cameron has urged the country to “move on victoriously” to avoid further escalation of violence. urged.
“In many ways, this is a double defeat for Iran. The attack was an almost complete failure and it revealed to the world that they are a negative influence in the region. So our hope is that Iran It would be a retaliatory reaction,” he told Sky News.
However, tensions remain high, with many airlines canceling flights to and from Tel Aviv and rerouting them to other routes. Here, Yahoo News features the latest official travel advice for countries in the region.
turkey
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told U.S. Foreign Secretary Antony Blinken on Sunday that he was concerned about the potential escalation and escalation of the crisis in the Middle East, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
Fidan said Israel’s war in Gaza was the root cause of this, and said the Palestinian enclave needed a ceasefire and unhindered access to humanitarian aid.
“Events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have increased tensions in the region and continued demonstrations across Turkey,” the UK Foreign Office warned. “Large demonstrations have been reported outside conflict-related diplomatic missions in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises people to avoid all demonstrations and to leave the area if demonstrations develop, as some may become violent, and police may use tear gas to disperse protests. He added that water cannons were used.
Its general guidelines advise against all travel except for travel within 10 kilometers of the border with Syria and essential travel to Sirnak city or Hakkari governorate. It added that terrorists were “very likely to attempt an attack in Turkey.” Most of the attacks occurred in the southeast of the country, in Ankara and Istanbul.
Although Istanbul is a popular tourist destination, visitors should still take some precautions. (Getty Images)
Israel
“We recognize that this is a rapidly changing situation that poses significant risks. The situation can deteriorate rapidly without warning,” the Foreign Office said in its guidance on travel to Israel. There is.
It warns that air and road traffic outside the country will be disrupted and advises people who are in Israel or the occupied Palestinian territories for non-essential reasons to “consider leaving the country if it is safe to do so.” are doing.
The areas where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel include Gaza and its vast surrounding area, the northern borders with Syria and Lebanon, and the West Bank, excluding East Jerusalem and National Highway 1 between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. is included.
The UK’s current guidance on traveling to Israel. (FCDO)
Iran
The Foreign Ministry advised against travel to Iran and warned that consular support in the Islamic Republic was “significantly limited”.
“British and dual UK-Iranian nationals are at serious risk of being arbitrarily arrested, interrogated and detained in Iran,” the report said.
“Having a British passport could be enough reason for Iranian authorities to interrogate you. If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or even years in prison.”
The report states that Iranian authorities do not recognize dual nationality, meaning that if dual British-Iranian nationals are detained in Iran, the authorities will not allow them to see them or ask the Foreign Office to do so. It warns that this means that it will not occur.
“If you are detained, your case will be in the hands of the Iranian authorities, who have demonstrated hostility towards the UK and British nationals,” the ministry added.
If you travel against the recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, your travel insurance may become invalid.
Consular support for British nationals in Iran is very limited. (Getty Images)
Egypt
Egypt, which borders Israel and Gaza and is acting as a mediator for ceasefire negotiations, expressed “extreme concern” over the attack.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said this was a sign of a “dangerous escalation” between Israel and Iran and called for calm.
Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all but non-essential travel to certain areas of Egypt, much of this guidance relates to military and terrorist activities unrelated to Israel and Gaza. There is.
These areas include North Sinai, the northern part of South Sinai, the eastern part of Ismailiya Governorate, the western regions of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta region, the Halaib Triangle and the Bir Tawil Trapezoid, and any location within 20 km of the Egyptian metropolitan area. It is included. -Libya border.
This means large parts of Egypt are unsafe to visit, although popular Egyptian tourist destinations such as the Red Sea coast, Luxor, Cairo and Alexandria are not under alert.
“Additional security measures have been taken to protect the resorts of Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and other tourist destinations on the Red Sea,” the Foreign Ministry said.
British nationals living in Gaza who wish to enter Egypt should check the situation at the Rafah border between Egypt, Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories before traveling.
While popular tourist destinations like Sharm el-Sheikh are well protected, there are many more dangerous areas in Egypt. (FCDO)
Saudi Arabia
“The possibility of terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia cannot be ruled out. Attacks could be carried out indiscriminately, including in places visited by foreigners,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned.
The report said terrorists are threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region, including on residential areas, military, oil, transport and aviation-related facilities, and public places such as restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping centers and mosques. added.
Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all direct travel to the Yemeni border, Border Guards have killed hundreds of Ethiopian migrants and asylum seekers attempting to cross, according to Human Rights Watch. That’s what it means.
Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a coalition in a military intervention against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and more recently attacked ships in the Red Sea to thwart Israeli attacks in Gaza. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends refraining from non-essential travel to a wide range of areas near the border.
The Great Mosque of Mecca seen from above on the last day of the holy month of Ramadan, April 5th. (Alamy)
Lebanon
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs currently advises against traveling to Lebanon. For British nationals still in the country, it said: “We advise you to leave now while you still have commercial options.”
Lebanon is home to the Iranian-backed Islamic extremist group Hezbollah, which carries out rocket attacks across the Jewish state’s northern border into Israel.
“The situation in Lebanon is evolving rapidly. The situation can deteriorate quickly and without warning,” the foreign ministry said.
“Commercial routes from Lebanon could be drastically disrupted or canceled at short notice, and roads across the country could be closed.”
In a further warning, the Foreign Office said: “If the political or security situation worsens, the support that British embassies can provide may become increasingly limited. Please don’t rely on it.” emergency. “
It added: “There is also a risk of civil unrest. There were large protests outside embassies, including in front of the US and French embassies on October 17th. Further protests are expected. British Nationals “People should exercise caution and avoid areas where demonstrations may take place,” he added. . ”
Israeli mobile artillery units fire shells into Lebanon from northern Israel. (Alamy)
Jordan
Although Jordan is generally considered to be one of the safest countries in the region, traveling to Jordan still carries risks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends that people refrain from traveling within 3 kilometers of the border with Syria. It added that terrorists are “likely to attempt attacks in Jordan”, some of which may be “indiscriminate” and carried out in locations visited by tourists.
Although the political situation in Jordan is stable, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised citizens to be careful if they are near demonstrations, including recent protests outside the United States over the Gaza war and the Israeli embassy. I am calling on you to do so.
Visitors are also advised to follow news reports of inter-tribal violence and social conflicts and to leave the area if involved in an incident.
Nabataean ruins in Petra, Jordan. (Alamy)
Syria
The Foreign Office has advised against traveling to Syria, where consular support is not available from the UK government, after all diplomatic and consular staff have left.
It added: “The situation in Syria remains unstable and dangerous due to the ongoing conflict and security situation for a decade. “We do not control the northwest, where the displacement is occurring,” he added.
“Daesh, formerly known as ISIL, continues to operate as an insurgency, carrying out regular attacks, particularly in northeastern Syria, and other terrorist groups are also active. is vulnerable and could escalate into armed conflict without warning.”
There is no consular assistance available to British nationals at the Sayeda Zeinab shrine in the Syrian capital Damascus. (Alamy)
