The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is constantly updating its list of countries UK travellers should avoid amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Warnings range from a total ban on travel to advisory notes against non-essential journeys, affecting popular holiday hotspots.
Do Not Travel: 76 Countries on Watch
Out of 226 countries with travel advice, 76 are now flagged as no-go zones by the FCDO. This includes sought-after destinations like Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, home to Dubai, a favourite among British holidaymakers.
Keir Starmer Reassures Brits on Middle East Crisis
Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to update Parliament on the escalating Middle East crisis on Monday, March 2 at 3:30pm. He told MPs,
“I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home. It’s my duty as Prime Minister to keep British people safe. I will be answering questions on the steps we took over the weekend in Parliament.”
Red Zones: Where FCDO Says ‘No Travel’
FCDO currently advises against all travel to the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burkina Faso
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Mali
- Niger
- Palestine
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Venezuela
- Yemen
Restricted Zones: Avoid All but Essential Travel
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to these countries:
- Bahrain
- Cuba
- North Korea
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
Partial Travel Restrictions
Some countries face bans to specific parts only. The FCDO advises caution or no travel to parts of:
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Benin – northern border
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Georgia
- India
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Mozambique
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Western Sahara
Travel advice is fluid and may change rapidly. Brits are urged to check the FCDO website before planning trips abroad.
