Here are the countries Canada warns against travel to amid Mideast clashes
· Toronto Sun
OTTAWA — Israel and the United States’ ongoing war against Iran’s despotic regime prompted Global Affairs to warn Canadians to avoid travelling to most of the Middle East.
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Israeli and American airstrikes targeting terrorist infrastructure in Iran and Lebanon sparked retaliation from what’s left of Iran’s Islamist regime, sending missiles towards Israel and numerous Middle Eastern and Persian Gulf nations with friendly relations to the U.S.
As of Tuesday, much of the airspace over the Middle East and Persian Gulf remained closed, with air traffic control centres in many regions shut to new routes.
Flights that normally transit the region are either being routed north over Turkmenistan and Armenia into Turkey, or south across Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Here are the countries Canada’s government is warning against travelling to:
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
A popular destination for tourists and business travellers , the Persian Gulf nation poised at the eastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is one of Iran’s numerous targets in its ongoing operation of retaliation.
Iranian missiles fell on Dubai International Airport over the weekend, killing three people, injuring several more and filling airport terminals with black smoke.
Many major airlines cancelled flights to the UAE and Dubai’s airport authority closed one of the world’s busiest airports in the wake of the attack.
Limited flights started resuming on Monday, with Dubai-based Emirates Airlines saying that passengers already booked for flights would have first crack at any available seats.
Etihad, based in nearby Abu Dhabi, said they’d keep their aircraft on the ground until at least Wednesday.
Global Affairs Canada warns to avoid all travel to the UAE due to “ongoing military activities,” and warns any Canadians in the country to leave as soon as possible.
“Missiles, drones and other projectiles could strike targets at any time,” the advisory read. “The security situation could deteriorate significantly without notice.”
While sheltering in place is the safest option, GAC says Canadians can also opt to leave via land border crossings, including the al Batha crossing into Saudi Arabia, or one of four land crossings into neighbouring Oman.
LEBANON
Having lowered its advisories for Lebanon to “avoid non-essential travel” last month, Global Affairs Canada returned the nation to its highest warning level.
Canada had previously listed Lebanon as “avoid all travel” following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks and Israel’s operations to eliminate Hezbollah terrorists.
While Canada did lower its warnings for Lebanon on Feb. 13, portions of the country retained their “avoid all travel” warnings, including areas in the south along the Israeli border.
Canada’s updated warnings describes Lebanon’s security situation as “volatile” and to avoid areas under threat of airstrikes, including the southern suburbs of Beirut — a hotbed of organized crime and terrorism, the Beqaa valley in east-central Lebanon, and Palestinian camps.
“Previous air strikes reached populated areas across Lebanon, including central Beirut,” the advisory reads.
“Our ability to provide consular services to Canadians during an active conflict is limited, with priority given to the provision of essential services.”
They also advise preparing contingency plans that do not rely on evacuation assistance by the Canadian government.
BAHRAIN & KUWAIT
Iranian aggression is also behind warnings to avoid travelling to Bahrain , with warnings that the security situation could change “without notice.”
While Bahrain had closed its airspace and the King Fahd Causeway linking the Persian Gulf island state to Saudi Arabia, limited flights should resume later this week.
Iranian missiles and drones fell on Bahrain on Saturday, targeting the headquarters of the U.S. Navy Central Command, as well as residential buildings and hotels.
Amazon also reported its warehouses in Bahrain were also hit.
Iran targeted Kuwait over the weekend, with reports of smoke seen near the U.S. embassy in Kuwait City.
Officials said they intercepted most Iranian drones before they struck.
Kuwaiti airspace, as of late Tuesday morning, remains closed.
While GAC advises Canadians in Kuwait to shelter in place , they also say the Al-Khafji and Ar-Ruqi land border crossings into Saudi Arabia may be viable options.
ISRAEL
While Global Affairs Canada has always advised against all travel to Gaza and the West Bank, Canada put the entire country of Israel to its highest warning level on Feb. 28.
The warning also specifically mentions Jerusalem, due to “ongoing military activities.”
Israelis have endured day of retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran, with GAC warning the security situation in Israel could “significantly deteriorate” without notice.
While all flights in and out of Ben Gurion Airport are cancelled, officials indicated flights could resume as early as Thursday.
OTHERS
Other Middle Eastern/Persian Gulf nations Canadians are warned to avoid include Qatar, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Canadians in countries with travel advisories are encouraged to register with local consular officials, and be prepared to leave if matters deteriorate.