The new warnings cover a vast swathe of the Middle East extending from the eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf region to central Asia. The FCDO has also renewed its advisory against all but essential travel to Israel, and continues to advise against all travel to parts of Israel and Palestine.
Besides several prominent winter sun destinations, the blanket warning – prompted by protests in Iran and attempts by ruling authorities there to quash the dissent, which human rights groups say has resulted in more than 2,000 deaths – also covers Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and Syria.
