Drone Attacks Threaten Libya's Zawiya Refinery Operations

Drone attacks on Libya's Zawiya oil refinery have prompted the state-owned National Oil Corporation to warn it may declare force majeure and shut down the facility, threatening to disrupt a significant portion of the country's oil production. The latest strike occurred on Monday, marking the third attack on oil assets in the area within two days and intensifying concerns over the security of critical energy infrastructure.

According to the NOC, an explosives-laden drone targeted a gasoline storage tank at the Zawiya oil complex on Monday. The tank, which belonged to the Brega Oil Marketing Company and contained approximately 4.5 million liters of gasoline, caught fire and subsequently collapsed. Emergency teams worked through Tuesday to control the blaze and cool the site to prevent its spread. Separately, another drone targeted an oil blending and packaging plant operated by the Zawiya Oil Refining Company on Monday, but this attack caused no reported casualties or material damage. A previous strike on Saturday had damaged an untreated naphtha tank, causing a leak that was contained without a fire.

In response to the escalating situation, the NOC declared a state of extreme...