Foreign Office issues Dubai travel warning for Brits heading on holidays

23 January 2024 , 11:58

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The Foreign Office has updated its UAE advice including Dubai (Image: iStockphoto)

A travel warning has been issued to Brits heading to Dubai for some winter sun.

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for those heading to the United Arab Emirates, urging them to "remain vigilant at all times" as the risk of a terrorist attacks targeting UK citizens has "increased".

The country's most populous city, Dubai, welcomes millions of tourists every year, including A-list celebrities intent on wandering around its skyscrapers, manmade lakes and water features. Last week Arsenal FC coach Mikel Arteta found himself in their number and upsetting sensibilities when he was filmed eating meat off the metal implement of famed Dubai restauranteur Salt Bae.

The UK Foreign Office has issued an urgent travel warning for people travelling to the UAE, as well as 17 nearby countries, as a result of the "military activity" which is occurring in the Middle East. The warning specifically comes after the joint military action undertaken by US and UK forces against Houthi fighters from Yemen.

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for several countries (Getty Images)

While the Israel-Gaza war may have triggered the current unrest in the Middle East region, it is the American and British aggression in the Red Sea which has contributed to the Foreign Office warning. It is feared that the strikes could render Brits more vulnerable to attack when in the region.

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The new advice reads: "Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea. While 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. You should continue to monitor Travel Advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities."

Officials say there is a "high threat of terrorist attacks globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets".

The Foreign Office has not advised against travelling at all, but did warn Brits to "remain vigilant at all times". There are 18 countries affected by the new advice including:

1. Lebanon
2. Syria
3. Jordan
4. Israel
5. Palestine
6. Egypt
7. Djibouti
8. Eritrea
9. Somalia
10. Saudi Arabia
11. Yemen
12. Oman
13. UAE
14. Kuwait
15. Iraq
16. Iran
17. Bahrain
18. Qatar

Yesterday US and British militaries conducted joint airstrikes targeting Houthi missile sites in Yemen for second time this month. The two allies conducted coordinated retaliatory strikes on an array of the rebels' missile-launching capabilities, several US officials said.

They claimed the US and UK used warship-and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets to take out Houthi missile storage sites and launchers.

Airstrikes happened at around 9.15pm UK time, it is understood. The joint operation comes about 10 days after US and British warships and fighter jets struck more than 60 targets in 28 locations. That what was the first US military response to what has been a persistent campaign of Houthi drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October.

Milo Boyd