THERE are now 24 countries off-limits to UK holidaymakers as the Foreign Office warns travellers may be detained – or worse.
Eight destinations have this year been added to the list of places deemed “too dangerous” for Brits.
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Brits’ travel insurance may not be valid if they visit a destination against the UK government’s advice – and consular support can be “severely limited” as some countries do not have a British Embassy.
The Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to places including Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, and Niger.
But travel to North Korea, Gaza, Russia, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen is also banned.
Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, Belarus, and Gaza were all added to the list of no-go zones this year.
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British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at “significant risk” of arbitrary arrest, questioning, or detention in Iran, said the FCDO.
The Foreign Office stated: “Holding a British passport can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to question you.
“If you are detained in Iran, you could face months or years in prison.”
The Foreign Office advises Brits against all travel to Russia due to the risks and threats associated with its invasion of Ukraine, which include security incidents such as drone attacks and “explosions”.
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The FCDO said: “There is also a high likelihood that terrorists will try to carry out attacks, including in major cities.”
All travel to most of Ukraine is also banned, as Russian missile and drone attacks continue to cause significant damage to residential areas, injuring and killing civilians.
Brits must also avoid travelling to Belarus, where Russian military operations are taking place, as there is “some risk” that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine may spread to the country.
Warnings against travelling to all parts of Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Palestinian militant group Hamas unleashed terror on southern Israel on October 7 last year, killing some 1,200 people and dragging 250 hostages back to the besieged enclave of Gaza.
Israel is now preparing to launch a full-scale invasion into the already-battered Palestinian city of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, to wipe out the Hamas militants which it claims are hiding there.
Hamas continues to launch rockets into Israel.
The Foreign Office stated: “There are continued exchanges of rocket and small arms fire over Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and a potential increase in rocket attacks and other incidents of violence across Israel and the OPTs (Occupied Palestinian Territories), including the West Bank.”
It added that the “fast-moving situation” poses significant risks and has the potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning.
All travel to Sudan is effectively forbidden to Brits due to ongoing military conflict in the country.
The FCDO noted the UK is no longer evacuating people from Sudan and it cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to any potential departure point, stating: “Any travel options you pursue are taken at your own risk.”
Brits who travel to other banned countries face other threats to their security and their lives.
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Travel in Afghanistan is “extremely dangerous” and British nationals face a “heightened risk of being detained”, which could lead to them being imprisoned for months or years.
There is no British Embassy in the country, so the FCDO cannot give help in person and the British government may not be informed if a Brit is arrested.
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Source: Sun
