Drone Strike Hits Libyan Oil Refinery, Causing Fuel Leak
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Libya‘s Zawiya oil refinery announced that a drone impacted a fuel storage tank in the northeastern part of the country on Saturday morning. The strike caused a leak of refined naphtha but fortunately resulted in no fatalities or fires.
The Zawiya Oil Refining Company stated in a release that the drone collided with the wall of an unleaded naphtha storage tank at approximately 3:45 AM local time. The impact created two holes, leading to the leakage of naphtha from the tank.
Company personnel successfully contained the incident and halted the leak, the statement confirmed. No fire erupted, and no injuries were reported.
The refinery expressed its alarm regarding the presence of military equipment within its operational area, warning that such items pose a significant risk to personnel, property, and the surrounding environment. The organization appealed to all parties to keep the refinery and its facilities separate from conflicts and armed activities, underscoring the critical strategic importance and sensitivity of its operations.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, multiple individuals were reported killed and injured in clashes between armed groups in the western Libyan cities of Surman and Zawiya, according to local officials and reports. There were also accounts of prison breaks during this period.
The Zawiya Oil Refining Company had previously advised employees in insecure areas to refrain from reporting to work due to ongoing clashes and declared Tuesday a holiday for its staff. Zawiya has experienced several rounds of armed conflict in recent months, leading to casualties and damage to vital infrastructure.
The city holds strategic and economic significance due to its coastal location and the presence of its oil refinery and other energy facilities. Any security tensions in the area can impact transportation, as well as fuel and energy supplies.
