The US and UK air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen have prompted travel warnings for 18 countries across the Middle East.
American and British forces carried out the action overnight in response to attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis on ships in the Red Sea since November.
The UK Foreign Office issued the travel advisories shortly after midnight for Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
The update to the Safety and Security pages was headlined ‘Military activity in the Red Sea area’ and said: “Military activity is currently underway in response to attempts by Houthi militants to prevent movement of international shipping in the Red Sea.
“While the area of activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, there is a possibility that Travel Advice for nearby countries could change at short notice.
“You should continue to monitor Travel Advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.”
A statement from prime minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
“In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices.”
The statement said the UK has taken “limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping”.