Fresh warnings issued for top British holiday hotspots | Travel News | Travel
File image of airport departure board (Image: Getty)
Travelers have been urged to reconsider their travel plans this summer, while Britons have been warned to be careful when visiting a sunny holiday destination.
Bahrain is now considered a higher-risk travel destination than usual following an advisory issued by both the UK Foreign Office and the US Embassy in Bahrain’s capital, Manama. Both the US and UK have issued almost word-for-word online warnings urging tourists to be careful while in Bahrain’s capital because there is “information that Iran may target unspecified locations in central Manama.”
According to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO): “The US and Iran have announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) regarding the conflict in the Middle East. The situation remains unpredictable.
“Iran has carried out further attacks on Bahrain since the MoU was adopted and may do so again at short notice. On 20 July, the US Embassy Manama issued an advisory that Iran may target unspecified locations in central Manama. British citizens should remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.”
Before the ceasefire signed between the United States and Iran on April 8, the Islamic Republic had made a habit of targeting Gulf destinations that had some kind of connection with the United States and/or Israel. This includes organizations, businesses, facilities and institutions with US or Israeli affiliations.
Iran has targeted civilian infrastructure in the region before. Ports, hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production facilities, water systems and airports have been targeted by Iranian artillery and all remain likely targets as the rogue Middle Eastern nation continues its war with Iran and Israel following the February 28 attacks.
February 28 marked the beginning of the ongoing Iran war, when the United States and Israel launched a joint coordinated attack on Iran and some of its nuclear, military, and infrastructure facilities. The 12-hour operation, which included nearly 900 attacks in total, killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and triggered Iran’s retaliatory attacks in the Middle East.
Advice against Middle Eastern destinations (FILE IMAGE: Burj Al Arab in Dubai) (Image: Getty)
The US and the UK are not the only Western countries that have increased travel advisories for their citizens traveling to the Middle East.
Australians have been asked to reconsider whether they should travel to Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia as tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, with the federal government Down Under describing the situation as “fluid”.
The last 24 hours have seen all three countries upgrade their advisory levels to alert level three, prompting Australians to rethink their travel needs. According to Australia’s Smartraveller website, tourists are warned to “stay as short a time as possible” if in transit.
Meanwhile, six countries remain at the highest alert level for Australians; These countries carry a clear ‘do not travel’ warning for Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen.
“We have reviewed our travel advice for Jordan, Oman and Saudi Arabia and raised our overall travel advice,” Smartraveller said in a statement.
“Due to the unpredictable security situation, we now generally recommend that you ‘re-evaluate your travel needs’. Avoid non-essential travel to these places. If you must use public transport, stay for as short a time as possible and avoid unnecessary activities.”
“Airspace may close in a short time. Flights may change or stop suddenly. Borders may close.”
