Middle East

Security

There is an increased global risk of terrorism. No country is immune from a terrorist attack, and no person is immune from becoming a victim of an attack. Terrorists have little regard for civilian casualties and, in many cases, attacks are designed to maximise casualties.

Although New Zealand travellers are unlikely to be targeted deliberately, they are usually indistinguishable from any “Western” tourist, and frequent places where other Western tourists are found. This puts New Zealanders at the same risk as others.

Wherever you are, you should keep yourself informed about the latest alerts and stay aware of your surroundings in areas where large numbers of people congregate, such as shopping malls, markets, monuments, demonstrations and on any public transport.

Random and indiscriminate attacks in the Middle East demonstrate the continuing security threat throughout the region.

Al Qaeda is the most notorious group to have emerged out of the Middle East and spread its attacks globally. It is reported to have cells operating in a number of countries in the region, as evidenced by bombings in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere. Al Qaeda is also alleged to have close links with Jemaah Islamiyah and other Islamic terrorist groups.

Prominent among many other groups in the region are Hizbollah operating in southern Lebanon, and Hamas, which has been responsible for attacks in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

In recent years terrorist attacks have occurred in Amman, Jordan.

In Iraq, the situation remains hazardous and unpredictable.

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Extreme risk

Destinations in the Middle East where we advise against all travel

Egypt - Governorate of North Sinai (including the Taba-Suez Road)
Iran border areas with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq
Iraq
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories Gaza (including the waters off Gaza), within 40kms of Israel’s border with Gaza, Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar located along the border with Lebanon (the “Blue Line”).
Lebanon - Southern Lebanon (south of the Litani River) and Palestinian refuge camps
Syria
Yemen

High risk

Destinations in the Middle East where we advise against tourist and other non-essential travel

Bahrain
Egypt Governorate of South Sinai - except for Sharm el Sheikh (some risk)
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories the West Bank.
Lebanon - All areas except Southern Lebanon (south of the Litani River) and Palestinian refuge camps (extreme risk)
Saudi Arabia

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Some risk

Destinations in the Middle East where we advise caution

Egypt except for Governorate of North Sinai (including the Taba-Suez Road) (extreme risk), Governorate of South Sinai (except for Sharm el Sheikh) (high risk)
Iran except for border areas with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq (extreme risk)
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian territories except for Gaza (including the waters off Gaza), within 40kms of Israel’s border with Gaza, Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar located along the border with Lebanon (the “Blue Line”) (extreme risk); the West Bank (high risk)

Jordan
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
United Arab Emirates