RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus was hit by a drone, which has threatened the safety of British military personnel, and now the Foreign Office has issued a warning to tourists there
British tourists on Cyprus should follow five key steps to ensure their safety, the Foreign Office says.
Visitors on the island in the Mediterranean Sea have been ordered to keep their departure plans under review and ensure their travel documents are up to date amid the conflict in the Middle East. RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus was hit by a drone on Monday, after which 60 flights to and from Cypriot airports were cancelled.
The UK will send HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, but tourists should also take action. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)’s website reads: “Regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption.”
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As Birmingham Live reports, the FCDO’s full five tips are;
- 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. Donald Trump, though, 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”.
It is the latest in a series of broadsides from the US president over the UK’s position on the Middle East war. Meanwhile, the Foreign Secretary confirmed that a Government charter flight will take off from Muscat, Oman, “in the coming days” to bring vulnerable British nationals back.
The HMS Dragon, due to be sent from Portsmouth in Hampshire and crewed by more than 200 people, is designed for air defence, it is equipped with a Sea Viper anti-air missile system. Defence Secretary John Healey said: “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.”
Dozens of countries remain on a list, compiled by FCDO, which Brits should not visit due to the ongoing conflict. These include holiday hotspots, such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
