Have always considered the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office to be one of the saner sources with regard to travel safety advisories, though admittedly haven’t checked it for some time as we haven’t recently travelled to countries we weren’t familiar with. So was surprised to come across this warning:
‘The Foreign Office has issued an update to political demonstrations risks. It said: "Demonstrations may occur with little or no warning in cities. Events in the Middle East have led to heightened tensions and demonstrations are likely. Avoid any protests, political gatherings, or marches and leave the area if one develops. Local transport routes may be disrupted."’
There have been a few protests in the Republic of Cyprus (South) but not large and certainly not violent. Actually more token protests. So this seems like a very strange caution coming from a country which has during the last three months seen huge demonstrations related to events in the Middle East. Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators in London marches.
But then J points out that protests, such as they are, in Cyprus have objected specifically to the use of the island’s British sovereign base to launch bombing missions to Yemen and aid to Israel in attacks on Gaza. In this case the objection is quite specifically to British (and American) military activity. Though the chances of protests actually injuring UK tourists - or anyone else - would seem to be approaching nil.
Happened to come across this advice in the Liverpool Echo, though it was undoubtedly printed elsewhere as well as at the FCO website. But was amused to see that the photo included is not from the Republic of Cyprus but a picture of Kyrenia (Girne) harbour in the TRNC (North) - no doubt itself the object of a different set of cautions.
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