In brief
On Monday evening, a drone attack targeted a fuel tank at Libya’s Zawiya refinery in the western outskirts of Tripoli, unleashing a blaze that engulfed the facility. Emergency services struggled to contain the fire amid fears of widespread damage, but no serious injuries were reported. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) warned of a potential shutdown should similar attacks continue, and demanded a thorough investigation into the perpetrators. The incident underscores ongoing instability in Libya, where rival factions vie for control since the 2011 fall of Muammar Gaddafi.
A drone strike hit a 4.5‑million‑litre fuel tank at Libya’s largest refinery, triggering a huge fire that collapsed the tank. Local emergency units fought to suppress the blaze, but the fire remains a critical threat to the 120,000‑barrel‑per‑day operation.
According to the National Oil Corporation (NOC), the strike is the third targeted attack in two days. The NOC warned that continued assaults could force a shutdown of refinery operations.
The Libyan Ambulance and Emergency Service reported no serious injuries; patients mainly suffered from smoke inhalation. Meanwhile, authorities called for an urgent investigation to identify the attackers.
The incident highlights the fragile security situation in Libya, where eastern forces backed by Khalifa Haftar clash with western factions led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah. Since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, factions have struggled to gain control over the country’s oil assets.
