Libya’s state National Oil Corporation (NOC) declared a state of force majeure and a state of emergency of the third degree (maximum) after several tanks at its Zawia refinery suffered severe damage due to militia clashes in the early hours today.
The fighting between local Zawia militias led to serious fires at its tanks, because of use of light and medium weapons between armed groups in the vicinity of the refinery.
The NOC said security and safety personnel were able to control fires and leaks in the gas lines, and reduce the risk of their spread, despite the continued clashes in the vicinity of the refinery.
The NOC called on the relevant institutions and authorities to assume their responsibilities and move as soon as possible to stop these clashes and spare the oil sites the cycle of the ongoing conflict, whatever its causes and motives.
The NOC also called on the Tripoli based Libyan to intervene to resolve these clashes and eliminate sedition, in any way, given the great danger they pose to the lives of civilians in the event that the fuel tanks in the refinery continue to suffer similar damage, as these tanks contain flammable materials.
The main coastal road in and out of the city was closed initially and so were schools and the university as a precautionary measure. All have reopened since and relative calm has returned to the city
Both the NOC and its fuel distribution subsidiary Brega Marketing Company have assured that all the fires have been extinguished. Brega says there is ample fuel still in storage allaying fears of a possible petrol supply crisis.
Comment and analysis: Yet another Zawia militia clash
There have been so many militia clash between the various family/tribal militias within Zawia that the this latest militia flare up comes as no surprise. They come and go constantly in varying sizes and duration.
The problem is the optics and international effect of the clashes are disproportionate. This is especially the case when clashes affect the international oil and gas sector #oott.
These clashes reinforce the existing perception that Libya is still unstable and unsafe for foreign businesses and investors.
It also confirms that the internationally recognised Tripoli based Libyan government – a 45-minute drive east of Zawia – is still not in control.
Thirteen years after the 2011 revolution that ended the Qaddafi regime. UNSMIL, the international community and the Tripoli based Libyan government need to find a solution to Zawia’s out-of-control militias – if they are serious about holding elections and allowing Libya to move forward.
