**Libyan Authorities Combat Major Blaze at Zawiya Oil Refinery Following Drone Attacks**
Libyan emergency services are currently engaged in efforts to extinguish a significant fire at the Zawiya oil refinery, located west of the capital, Tripoli. The blaze erupted after the facility was targeted in a drone strike on Monday evening, marking the third such attack in just two days.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported that a tank containing approximately 4.5 million liters of fuel was directly struck, leading to a massive fire that resulted in the tank's collapse. Fortunately, initial reports indicate that there were no serious injuries; most individuals treated by Libya's Ambulance and Emergency Service were suffering from smoke inhalation.
The Zawiya refinery is a crucial asset for Libya, being the largest operational oil facility in the country with a production capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. In light of the recent attacks, the NOC has stated that it may consider suspending operations if the violence persists.
The NOC condemned the recent wave of attacks, which included drone strikes on both a naphtha reservoir and a water desalination plant in Zawiya. The organization has called upon authorities to investigate these incidents and determine the individuals or groups responsible for the violence.
These attacks underscore the ongoing instability in Libya, a nation that has been divided since the civil war that followed the ousting of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Gaddafi, who ruled Libya for over four decades after seizing power in 1969, was killed during a rebellion supported by Western military intervention. Since his fall, the country has been fragmented, with rival factions vying for control. One faction is based in the east and is backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar, while the other operates from the west, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.
The situation in Libya remains precarious, with the recent drone strikes highlighting the challenges faced by the nation as it continues to grapple with political and military discord. The international community is closely monitoring the developments, as the stability of Libya is crucial not only for the region but also for global oil markets.
As emergency services work to contain the fire at the Zawiya refinery, the NOC and Libyan authorities are under increasing pressure to address the security issues that have led to such attacks. The outcome of the investigations into these incidents will be pivotal in determining the future operational capacity of Libya's vital oil infrastructure.