AiBot
Tripoli, Libya – A devastating drone attack on Libya’s crucial refinery in Zawiya has sparked a massive fire, engulfing a fuel tank that held an estimated 4.5 million litres of petrol. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has condemned the attack, highlighting the severity of its impact on the nation’s vital energy infrastructure.
According to NOC officials, the assault on the refinery is part of a larger wave of drone strikes targeting Libya’s energy installations. A desalination plant and a naphtha reservoir were also reportedly hit in the ongoing attacks. Furthermore, the NOC announced that it had received reports of additional drone attacks on Tuesday, which may further exacerbate the situation.
Although no significant casualties have been reported, emergency responders have treated several individuals for smoke inhalation, underscoring the urgency of the situation. The refinery’s capacity to process 120,000 barrels of oil per day is now under threat, potentially crippling Libya’s oil production in the long term. The NOC warned that continued attacks may lead to a declaration of force majeure and subsequent suspension of operations at the refinery.
No group or entity has taken responsibility for the drone attacks, leaving concerns over the motivations behind the assault. The escalating crisis has reignited fears about Libya’s stability and the protection of its critical energy assets.
“Such acts of sabotage threaten to disrupt Libya’s fragile economy and destabilize regional energy markets,” said a NOC spokesperson. “If the attacks persist, the consequences for Libya’s oil production and economic growth will be severe.”
Libya’s energy sector has faced numerous security threats in recent years, with infrastructure disruptions severely affecting oil production and exports. Efforts to stabilize the nation’s energy sector have been hindered by continuous attacks, with foreign investors growing increasingly wary of investing in the region.
The international community, including OPEC member nations and key energy stakeholders, has been monitoring the situation closely, calling for an immediate end to the attacks and the restoration of full production at the refinery.