The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released updated travel guidance for 13 countries within the last 24 hours, amidst the continuing Middle East conflict, which is generating worldwide disruption.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has now reached its sixth day. Today, aircraft transporting Britons left stranded in the Middle East during the conflict are scheduled to touch down in the UK.

The first Government rescue flight and British Airways commercial service from Muscat were anticipated to arrive in the UK early on Thursday; however, a technical problem at the airport in Oman stopped the first chartered aircraft from departing as scheduled.

With 138,000 Britons in the Middle East registered with the UK Government, yet only approximately 1,000 having returned on commercial services since the war commenced, the FCDO faces a substantial task in facilitating safe passage and keeping Britons informed.

In addition to refreshing its individual travel advisory pages, the FCDO has established a new central hub for those in countries directly affected by the conflict.

Are you trying to get back to the UK from the Middle East? If you’re safe to do so and want to tell your story, email webtravel@reachplc.com

The Foreign Office’s latest travel advice

Saudi Arabia

FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to Eastern Province and Riyadh Province. The FCDO continues to advise against all travel to within 10km of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.

FCDO now advises against all travel or all but essential travel to all areas of Lebanon. It has updated its advice on the conflict affecting Lebanon and increased the scope of the area to which we advise against ‘all travel’.

The FCDO has taken the precautionary measure of temporarily withdrawing some of its staff and their dependents from Bahrain. Its Embassy continues to operate.

Additional information has been added on the potential disruption during Nepal’s election on 5 March, including after polling day. Information on the potential impact on travel and visas due to escalation in the Middle East.

There is new information about travel disruption and updated information about visa requirements. For security reasons, the FCDO advises against all travel to the Russian-occupied regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to areas immediately next to the administrative boundary lines with South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

The FCDO has updated travel advice for Malaysia with a general warning about global travel disruption in the Middle East. The FCDO still advises against all but essential travel to parts of Malaysia.

The FCDO has those in Oman who have had travel plans disrupted to register their interest in UK government flights from the country.

The FCDO has updated travel advice for Tajikistan with a general warning about global travel disruption in the Middle East.

A State of Emergency has been renewed, a curfew has been announced in four provinces, and the land border with Colombia will be closed during the Colombian elections.

The FCDO has updated travel advice for Dijibouti with a general warning about global travel disruption in the Middle East. The FCDO still advises against all travel to the Djibouti-Eritrea border.

The FCDO urges that Brits in the country let the UK government know they’re in Kuwait by registering their presence in the country. There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times. UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

The FCDO has updated travel advice for Thailand with a general warning about global travel disruption in the Middle East.

The FCDO has updated its advice with information about Jordanian airspace, which has been affected by the regional conflict. FCDO continues to advise against all but essential travel to Jordan, and all travel to within 3km of the border with Syria.