Foreign Office urgently changes travel advice for 18 countries including Dubai, Turkey, Cyprus and Egypt

The Foreign Office has today updated travel advice for 18 countries - including popular half-term holiday destinations. UK tourists heading to hotspots including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt and Morocco are being warned of 'ongoing hostilities'.

It comes after Israel launched military action against Iran in the early hours of Saturday, October 26. It is said to be a response to the missiles fired by the Islamic Republic against Israel earlier in the month.

In an update, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said: "Ongoing hostilities in the region and between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region. On October 1, Iran launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel.

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"On October 26, Israel carried out military action against Iran. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast.

"Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

"Read FCDO advice if you’re affected by a crisis abroad." Alerts have been issued to British travellers heading:

• Cyprus
• Turkey
• Egypt
• Bahrain
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Kuwait
• United Arab Emirates
• Algeria
• Tunisia
• Syria
• Lebanon
• Iran
• Morocco
• The Occupied Palestinian Territories
• Israel
• Libya