The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has updated its travel advice for the United Arab Emirates, where Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain are all based
Holidaymakers planning trips to the UAE, including hotspots such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, have been warned about rising terror threats.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its travel advice for the United Arab Emirates on Monday “to reflect [a] changed threat level” in the Gulf state, stressing “terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the UAE”. The statement continued: “Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on western interests, including against UK citizens. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners.”
The FCDO highlighted a number of potential areas which may be targeted by terrorists including transport, aviation interests, crowded places, restaurants, hotels, beaches, shopping centres and places of worship. The governmental organisation continues to advise travellers to “maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and at public events”.
A similar warning was issued for the UAE at the end of October last year, in the weeks after Israel invaded Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack. A more general FCDO terror advisory remains in place, which reads: “There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.”
Updated FCDO advice for the Red Sea and wider Middle East region reflects the war that continues to wage in Gaza and the potential that has to spill out into the surrounding countries.
“Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea,” the FCDO continues.
“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.”
Generally speaking, Dubai remains one of the safer cities for Western tourists to visit in the Middle East. “There’s not much dispute that Dubai is quite safe for tourists. Like the rest of the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is heavily monitored, so violent crime directed at tourists is rare,” writes Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection.
That said, Dubai is known for the strict enforcement of certain rules and the corresponding, stiff penalties for those arrested, ranging from large fines to jail time. “Penalties can be even more harsh and protections fewer for women and LGBTQ+ travellers,” the travel company adds.
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