Libya’s largest oil refinery suspends operations amid war | Articles of Controversy

The Zawiya oil refinery was closed in a ‘precautionary measure’ as announced following explosions and gunfire nearby.

Libya’s largest oil refinery in Zawiya has been shut down and a state of emergency has been declared following fighting between nearby armed forces.

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) and Zawiya Refining Company announced a “work stoppage” and evacuated workers from the refinery and port.

The NOC assured the safety of all the workers and added that the oil will continue as it is.

A Facebook statement said the alarm sirens were activated “following armed clashes near a petrol station in the early hours of Friday”.

“The collision resulted in the landing of several high-powered missiles at various locations within the fuel,” he said, adding that no major damage was reported.

“However, the conflict has escalated and is reaching residential areas near the refinery, making the area a target for heavy shelling and increasing the risk of further damage,” it said.

Officials in Zawiya, west of the capital Tripoli, said they had launched a “massive operation” against terrorist groups, when fighting and explosions were heard, the AFP news agency reported.

The operation targets “terrorist hideouts and wanted persons” who are “engaging in serious activities”, the authorities said, “murder and attempted murder, robbery and extortion, drugs, arms and people smuggling and illegal immigration”.

Footage confirmed by Al Jazeera showed explosions and gunfire, as well as damage to several vehicles and equipment inside the refinery. The sound of sirens was heard after the shells fell inside the work area.

Zawiya Refining Company called on all parties to immediately cease fire and for the authorities of the Libyan government to intervene in order to protect lives and necessary equipment.

The refinery, about 40km (25 miles) west of Tripoli, has a capacity of 120,000 barrels a day. It is connected to the 300,000 ⁠bpd Sharara oil field.

Starting The fall of Muammar Gaddafi In 2011, Libya has been suffering from violence between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and the government based in the east, led by the military leader Khalifa Haftar who is not international.

It is not clear what sparked the fighting, but local media said they began following the operation to protect armed groups.