New FCO travel warnings for Iraq and Egypt
The Foreign Office has issued fresh warnings to UK citizens in Iraq and Egypt.
Included in the advice is a warning that UK nationals may be targeted by kidnappers in Iraq.
The British hostage, Ken Bigley, was executed by his captives last week and his body is yet to be officially recovered.
The Government also warns that with the holy festival of Ramadan beginning tomorrow, and lasting until November 14th, militants might step up their activities.
The new advice for Iraq reads: “There is a direct threat of kidnap to foreign nationals in northern Iraq and we believe that British nationals may be targeted”
“There continue to be widespread outbreaks of violence and threats to kidnap British and other foreign nationals. It is likely that there will be an increase in the number of attacks during Ramadan (October 15th to November 14th).”
A number of internet sites are reported to have been carrying warnings of planned attacks.
Following last week’s attacks on Red Sea resorts in Egypt, the FCO warns: “The threat from terrorism in Egypt remains. The threat from terrorism on the east coast of the Sinai peninsula is high. Following terrorist attacks in Taba and Ras Shaitan near Nuweiba on October 7th, our assessment is that further terrorist attacks may be likely. We will be keeping this advice under close review”
The Foreign Office regularly publishes updates to its travel advice on its website. The Government has promised to warn UK nationals if there is any intelligence received of a specific terrorist risk.
It does not warn against travel to all countries where there are terrorists operating, saying to do so would serve “only to cause panic and disrupt normal life. That is precisely what terrorists are striving to achieve.”
It currently warns against all but essential travel to Iraq.
