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.

Travel to Libya - requirement for an Arabic translation of your passport bio data page

On 11 November, the Libyan government reintroduced a requirement for all travellers entering the country to have an approved Arabic translation of the bio data page inserted in their passport. This includes those travellers who have current Libyan re-entry visas. New Zealanders intending to travel to Libya should contact the Department of Internal Affairs to obtain an Arabic translation of their bio data page prior to departure. If already travelling overseas, the New Zealand High Commission in London and the New Zealand Embassy in Cairo can provide the necessary translation of the bio data page. Passports should not bear an Israeli visa or border stamp. See our Libya Travel Advisory.

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Extreme risk

Destinations in the Middle East where we advise against all travel

Iran advise against travel beyond Bam and Bandar Abbas.
Iraq
Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (Gaza and the West Bank)
Lebanon - Southern Lebanon (south of the Litani River) and Palestinian refuge camps
Yemen - Governorates of Sa'dah, Ma'rib Hadramaut

High risk

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

Iran avoid border areas with Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan
Jordan border areas with Israel and Iraq
Lebanon - All areas except Southern Lebanon (south of the Litani River) and Palestinian refuge camps (extreme risk)
Saudi Arabia
Yemen - (except Governorates of Sa'dah, Ma'rib Hadramaut)

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Some risk

Destinations in the Middle East where we advise caution

Bahrain
Egypt

Iran all areas except beyond Bam and Bandar Abbas (extreme risk) and border areas with Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan (high risk)
Israel except Gaza and the West Bank (extreme risk)

Jordan except border areas with Israel and Iraq (high risk)
Kuwait
Oman
Qatar
Syria
United Arab Emirates