Travel warning for any British tourist heading to Egypt and Morocco with situation 'changing fast'

Marrakech Djemma El Fna Square is a location which the Foreign Office has warned about visiting

Brits have been issued updated travel advice if they expected to visit Egypt or Morocco in the wake of serious events in the Middle East this weekend.

Egypt and Morocco,have gained popularity in recent years as holiday destinations boasting great value resorts, scorching weather. But the government has updated the travel advice for those travelling to either nation this year after an attack by Iran on Israel last week.

Egypt and Morocco were not included in the strike, but travel advice has been updated on the gov.uk website for both countries. The Foreign Office stated: “On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.”

Egypt, which borders Israel by land, has a number of warnings attached to travel to and within the country. The government states: “FCDO advises against all travel to within 20km of the Egypt-Libya border, except for the town of El Salloum (where we advise against all but essential travel).”

It also wants British people to stay away from North Sinai, South Sinai, the Hala’ib Triangle, the Ismailiyah Governorate east of the Suez Canal and a number of regions in the Western Desert west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions.

The authority adds: “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. Terrorism is a risk across Egypt, particularly in North Sinai. Attacks could be indiscriminate.”

“The authorities in Egypt have a significant security presence across the country, including armed security officers at important sites, critical infrastructure and road checkpoints. Extra measures are in place at tourist sites.”

“There is a heightened threat of terrorism in and around religious sites and during religious festivals, such as the month of Ramadan and the Christmas period (including Coptic Christmas in January). Terrorist attacks have occurred over local holiday weekends.”

It warned of a threat of kidnapping by terrorist groups near the border and remote desert areas saying: “British nationals are viewed as legitimate targets, including those engaged in tourism, humanitarian aid work, journalism or business sectors. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to serve as a protection or secure your safe release.

The Foreign Office also issued new warnings for visitors to Morocco. It highlighted: “On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Morocco. 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.”

“There is an increased threat linked to the number of Moroccans sympathetic or belonging to Daesh (formerly ISIL) and other extremist groups. Authorities regularly disrupt terrorist cells. While there have been no recent kidnappings of foreign nationals in Morocco, it cannot be ruled out.”