British tourists in Egypt were yesterday warned to be vigilant over the risk of terror attacks.
Echoing warnings for Turkey and Dubai, the Foreign Office advised travellers to the country to be on guard.
There are fears that holidaymakers at resorts popular with Westerners could become an easy ‘soft’ target for terror groups sympathetic to Iran.
Allies: The last known photograph of Qassem Soleimani as he meets Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, left, in Lebanon
The Foreign Office changed its advice for 14 countries in the region, telling travellers to ‘remain vigilant’ and keep up to date on the latest developments.
But it stopped short of telling people not to travel, meaning anyone who tries to cancel a trip over safety fears is unlikely to be refunded.
Stronger warnings were issued for Iraq, where the Foreign Office warned against all travel, except in the northern region of Kurdistan. It also strengthened its travel advice for Iran, warning against all but essential travel.
Thousands of Britons are enjoying winter sun holidays in North Africa and the Middle East. In its latest travel advice, the Foreign Office warned: ‘Following the death of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani… British nationals in the region should remain vigilant and keep up to date with the latest developments.’
The advice was issued for countries including the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Israel, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Anyone travelling to Turkey was warned to steer clear of areas near the borders with Iraq and Syria.
In Egypt, the Foreign Office warned that terrorist attacks could be ‘indiscriminate’ and that terror groups had targeted tourists in the past.
A Russian passenger plane from Sharm El Sheikh was bombed in 2015, killing all 224 people on board. Direct flights from Britain resumed only two months ago.
A series of deadly bombings were carried out in Sharm, Dahab and Taba, all on the Sinai peninsula, in 2004, 2005 and 2006, and in 1997 62 tourists were massacred in an attack at an archaeological site near Luxor on the Nile.
The Foreign Office had already warned holidaymakers to avoid the peninsula because of terror fears.
Tourists were warned against all but essential travel to South Sinai, apart from the resort town of Sharm and its airport. North Sinai is covered by a stronger warning against all travel.
Other countries where holidaymakers and business travellers were warned they could be at risk included Oman, Israel, Lebanon, Bahrain and Qatar.
Sun spot: Tourists at the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh. Tourists were warned against all but essential travel to South Sinai, apart from the resort town of Sharm and its airport
Britain was not involved in the US air strike that killed Soleimani, but is viewed as an ally of America and could be seen as a target by Iran.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the updated advice would be kept under constant review.
Dr Paul Stott, a research fellow at the Henry Jackson Society, said: ‘In the past Iran or the groups it sponsors have looked to target holidaymakers and community centres in areas of Africa, Latin America and southern Europe.
‘It may be here, in the months to come, where Tehran seeks its revenge. Iran has long seen the UK as a nemesis and these targets could well include British military bases in Cyprus and the Middle East, and holiday resorts frequented by Brits overseas.’
A spokesman for ABTA, which represents travel agents, said it was monitoring the situation.
In the US, the national football team announced it had cancelled plans to go to Qatar for a winter training camp because of the Iran crisis.
What Middle East holidaymakers need to know
What has happened?
Following the death of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani and threats of retaliation against the US, travel advice for several countries in the Middle East has been amended.
Which nations are affected?
The Foreign Office has changed its advice for most countries in the region, including Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
Britons there are advised to be vigilant and keep up to date with developments. It advises against all travel to Iraq, except for the Kurdistan region, where it advises against all but essential travel. It advises against all but essential travel to Iran.
What does that mean?
Holidaymakers should avoid political protests or other volatile situations. They should be vigilant in crowds and tourist hotspots, and keep up to date on political developments in the region – particularly any new threat of attack or retaliation – via the media and the Foreign Office.
You can sign up for email alerts for individual countries’ travel advice pages on www.gov.uk.
Should I cancel my holiday?
Countries on the ‘remain vigilant’ list are considered safe to visit. If you have booked a holiday to one, you are unlikely to be able to cancel or change your trip without losing money unless Foreign Office advice changes. Tour firms will offer a full refund or alternative arrangements if the Foreign Office advises against travel or all but essential travel.
How about my insurance?
Travel cover should not be affected unless you go to a country where the Foreign Office has warned against all travel or all but essential travel, in which case any claims you make will not be paid.
If Foreign Office advice changes while you are in an affected country then you should still be covered, but you should follow its advice, including any instructions to evacuate.
What is the risk of an attack?
A strike on tourists is unlikely, especially after Iran said it would hit military sites. But it is possible for protests linked to the crisis to become violent. Experts have also warned of the possible resurgence of Islamic State, which attacked holidaymakers in Tunisia and Egypt.
Are expats affected?
If the Foreign Office says it is safe to travel to the region there is no problem living in countries potentially affected. If it changes its advice to all but essential travel then you should seek instructions.