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Protests Spread Across The Middle East - Advice and Information

  • Last Updated: 07/03/2011
  • Category: Political

Summary: As protests spread across the Middle East, the FCO warns against all but essential travel to Bahrain. It also warns against all travel to Yemen and some areas of Iran.

Read about the protests spreading across North Africa here.

Bahrain:

The FCO advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain until further notice. If you are in Bahrain, they also recommend limiting travel around the island to essential journeys only. The airport is currently open and flights to and from Bahrain remain unaffected.

More Bahrain travel advice is available here.

Please note: If you intend to visit the Embassy for essential business, please call first to ensure it is safe to do so on 1757 4100. If you have any other enquiries regarding the situation in Bahrain, please call 17574151 in Bahrain, or 020 7008 1500 in the UK.

A week of demonstrations in Bahrain has resulted in violent clashes between opposition groups. Thousands also continue to occupy the Pearl Roundabout in the capital Manama. However, the situation is calmer this week as opposition leaders meet to consider talks with Bahrain's rulers.

Please see our in-depth Bahrain travel alert here for detailed information on the protests and the FCO's latest advice.

Yemen:

In light of the increasing violence in the region, the FCO advises against all travel to the whole of Yemen. It also urges all British nationals without a pressing need to remain in Yemen to leave via commercial means as soon as possible.

Please note: British consular assistance in Yemen is currently extremely limited. If you need urgent consular assistance, please contact (967) 736800219. This number is operational between 09:00 - 16:30, Sunday - Thursday. For assistance outside of these hours, phone 020 7008 8765.

Keep an eye on the FCO's latest Yemen travel advice here.

Since February, unrest has been rife across Yemen. It has been especially violent in the capital Sanaa, where opposition groups have attacked one another with stones and missiles. Thousands of people also staged sit-ins in the cities of Ibb and Taiz, calling for the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Security in the southern port of Aden has been stepped up with tanks and armoured vehicles out on the main streets. Further protests are expected and violence is likely.

Please see our in-depth Yemen travel alert here for the latest developments and FCO advice.

Iran:

The FCO advises against all travel to specific areas of Iran.

Travel is advised against for the following regions:

  • Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz and other cities where demonstrations are taking place
  • Within 100km of the entire Iran/ Afghanistan border
  • Within 10km of the entire Iran/ Iraq border
  • east of the line running from Bam to Jask, on the Pakistan border area.

More Iran travel advice is available here.

The police have dispersed thousands with teargas and batons, while security forces have also opened fire on unruly crowds. The demonstrations are taking place in Tehran, Esfahan, Shiraz and possibly other cities.

British Embassy Contact Details:

General FCO advice for British nationals travelling in these countries:

  • Contact your airline to confirm onward travel
  • Avoid political gatherings and demonstrations and respect any advice or instruction from the local security authorities
  • Follow the news on TV and radio
  • Register with the FCO's LOCATE service, or ask a family member in the UK to do so for you
  • Do not watch, photograph or be seen taking an interest in demonstrations; security forces may conduct arrests and detentions without warning
  • Stay updated with the latest FCO advice for the country you are travelling in

The spread of protests:

While each of these countries has its own grievances, the current wave of protests is said to be largely caused by high unemployment, rising food prices and large groups of young people disillusioned with repressive regimes.