Following a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Monday, 60 flights to and from Cypriot airports were subsequently cancelled.
Whilst the UK is deploying HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, tourists are also advised to take precautionary measures. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)’s website reads: « Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption. »
- read guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” on the FCDO website, with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
- sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
- monitor local and international media
- sign up to local information alerts/resources AND follow the advice of local authorities
- keep your departure plans under review AND ensure your travel documents are up to date
The conflict and tension in the Middle East and Gulf states continues. However, Donald Trump has said he is « not happy » with the UK after it did not initially allow the US to use its bases for strikes on Iran, and added that Keir Starmer is « not Winston Churchill. »
This marks the latest in a succession of criticisms from the US president regarding the UK’s stance on the Middle East conflict. Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary has confirmed that a Government charter flight will depart from Muscat, Oman, « in the coming days » to repatriate vulnerable British nationals.
The HMS Dragon, scheduled to deploy from Portsmouth in Hampshire with a crew exceeding 200 personnel, is purpose-built for air defence and fitted with a Sea Viper anti-air missile system. Defence Secretary John Healey stated: « We are moving quickly to further reinforce our defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
« HMS Dragon brings world-class air defence capability, and our Wildcat helicopters are armed with Martlet missiles to counter the growing drone threat.
« I am deeply proud of the professionalism and bravery of our Armed Forces personnel who have in recent days, successfully taken action across the region to protect our allies and defend British interests. »
Numerous countries feature on a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office list advising Britons against travel owing to the continuing conflict. These include popular tourist destinations such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
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