UK Government warns Brits travelling to Dubai over 'high threat of terrorist attack'
The UK Government has warned tourists heading to Dubai of potential ‘terror attack’ events, believing that the UAE could be targeted by terrorists.
Dubai is quickly becoming a popular destination for Brits to enjoy the sun, food and culture, but there’s also a fear that holidaymakers could pay the ultimate price if they set foot in the region.
According to Gulf News, over one million Brits visited the sunny city in the first nine months of 2025, but this popularity could be dangerous.
Per the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, there might be groups or people who want to target the British, leading the government department to warn tourists about staying aware of their surroundings.
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The FCDO said: "Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on western interests, including against UK citizens.”
It also went on to say that because of the 'increasing regional tensions’ between Israel and Palestine, any ‘Israeli and Jewish linked sites could be targets for terrorists in the UAE.’
For anyone visiting the below sites, they have been urged to ‘maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places and at public events’.
These places include military sites, residential compounds, oil and transport locations, crowded places, restaurants, beaches, hotels, shopping centres, places of worship and anywhere with aviation interests.
The warning comes after the Bondi Beach terror attack, which left 15 victims dead on 14 December, after mostly Jewish victims were gunned down by Muslim shooters as they celebrated a Hanukkah event.
Aside from terrorism offences, the FCDO further went on to warn about sexual assault risks, explaining that visitors to Dubai should ‘take care when walking or travelling alone or at night, particularly if you are a woman. Use a reputable taxi company and do not accept lifts from strangers’.
It added in its warning on its website: "Sexual assault and rape are relatively rare but do happen. A man who is convicted of raping a woman will be given life imprisonment, and in some cases, prosecutors may request the death penalty.
"However, UAE law places a high burden of proof on the victim to demonstrate that the sexual relations were not consensual, especially when the victim had consumed alcohol or where the alleged attacker was known to the victim.
"If the sexual relations are determined to have been consensual, either party may still face prosecution for the offence of sex outside marriage."
The guidance on the government site went on to say that those who travel to the UAE should be mindful that it is a Muslim region and respect the culture.
It said: “The UAE is a Muslim country. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions. Make sure your actions do not cause offence, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you visit religious areas.
"There may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK but is in the UAE. “
Britt Jones