As fears grow over an escalating conflict in the Middle East, several countries have urged their nationals to leave Lebanon.
The move comes after Iran vowed “severe” retaliation against Israel, which it blames for the killing of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in the capital of Tehran last week.
His assassination came hours after the death of Hezbollah senior commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. The Israeli military said it killed Shukr in an “intelligence-based elimination”.
Western officials are now concerned that Hezbollah – an Iran-backed militia based in Lebanon – could play a key role in retaliation against Israel which, in turn, could spark a serious Israeli response.
Diplomatic efforts by the US and its allies are seeking to de-escalate growing tensions across the region.
The number of flights cancelled or suspended at Lebanon’s only commercial airport in Beirut is growing and countries including the UK, France, Turkey, Jordan, the US and Canada are among those urging their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible.
While Lebanon is not currently a popular tourist destination, it is relatively close to Cyprus and Turkey, both of which are much visited by UK travellers.
Following the latest news out of the Middle East, holidaymakers with trips booked to the hotspots may be seeking reassurance on their plans.
Osprey, which specialises in global aviation risk management, told i that tourists should make sure to keep aware of the potentially changing situation.
“Travellers should remain prepared for flight delays at Cypriot and Turkish airports on the eastern Mediterranean Sea coasts stemming from the knock on effect of likely airspace closures and/or restrictions in the region in the short term,” Osprey’s chief intelligence officer, Matthew Borie, explained.
“Airspace restrictions and closures may be initiated at short notice as part of military operations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea conducted to defend Israel from Iranian and/or Iranian-backed attacks and this could lead to flight route adjustments and/or schedule changes at airports in Cypriot and/or Turkish coastal areas,” he added.
Here’s everything you need to know if you have a trip booked to Cyprus and Turkey.
Is it safe to travel to Cyprus right now?
While Cyprus is a top destination for British tourists thanks to its year-round warm weather and world-class beaches, it has been inadvertently linked to the conflict in the Middle East in recent weeks.
Situated around 125 miles from Lebanon, residents and visitors in Cyprus were concerned after Hezbollah warned in June that the Mediterranean island could be dragged into a regional war if it opened its airports and bases up to Israel.
“Opening Cypriot airports and bases to the Israeli enemy to target Lebanon would mean that the Cypriot government is part of the war, and the resistance will deal with it as part of the war,” Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s secretary-general, has warned.
Cyprus’s leaders downplayed the comments. “Cyprus remains uninvolved in any military conflicts and positions itself as part of the solution rather than the problem,” Cypriot president Nikos Christodoulides said at the time.
“Our humanitarian corridor is a testament to our commitment to peace and stability. Such statements are not pleasant, but they do not reflect reality. Cyprus is not participating in any military engagements”.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has not released any warnings over visits to Cyprus.
Speaking to i, Cyprus’s deputy ministry of tourism said it was “pleased to confirm that the booking flow continues at a steady pace, and so far there have been no signs of concern”.
Cyprus is still considered a generally safe place to visit. The Republic of Cyprus is a full EU member.
However, the FCDO does highlight that the island is divided by the “Green Line” between the Republic of Cyprus and the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which most governments do not recognise – although Turkey does.
The UK government warns that political demonstrations can occur at any time and without notice.
Is it safe to travel to Turkey?
Turkey is among Britons’ favourite travel destinations and welcomed almost 1.8 million UK tourists in the first six months of this year.
The FCDO has not issued any statement on visiting Turkey in the wake of the Lebanon situation.
However, it continues to advise against all travel by British citizens to within 10km (or 6.2 miles) of the southern border with Syria, as well as to Sirnak city and Hakkari Province – Kurdish-populated areas in south-east Turkey – due to ongoing fighting and a heightened risk of terrorism.
The UK government has warned visitors to the whole of Turkey to stay alert. The FCDO adds: “Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Turkey.”
Most attacks have occurred in south-east Turkey, Ankara and Istanbul.
The FCDO says tourists should “remain aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.”
It warns that attacks could be indiscriminate and occur in places visited by foreigners, including public buildings, places of worship and airports. These incidents tend to be claimed by extremist groups based in Syria, including Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda linked groups.
In January, one person was killed by two gunmen in Santa Maria Catholic Church in Sariyer, Istanbul, in an attack claimed by (IS). In 2022, six people were killed in an explosion in central Istanbul.
The FCDO advises caution around demonstrations, which can become violent. In the past, police have used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protests.
“Events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories have led to heightened tensions in the region and demonstrations are ongoing in locations across Turkey,” the FCDO says, “Large demonstrations have been reported outside diplomatic missions connected to the conflict in major cities, particularly Israeli diplomatic missions in Ankara and Istanbul.”
As fears continue to grow over regional escalation, if you’re planning to travel to Turkey or Cyprus, it’s advisable to stay aware of the situation and refer to the FCDO website, which is frequently updated.
Keep in mind, too, that if the FCDO does change its position on either destination, you may not be insured if you visit an area to which it advises against travel.
