The Zawiya oil refinery, one of Libya’s largest and a critical supplier of fuel to the western region, was forced to shut down on Sunday after clashes erupted between armed groups near the facility.
Fires broke out in several tanks following heavy gunfire, prompting the state oil company, National Oil Corporation (NOC), to declare a state of emergency and force majeure.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames engulfing parts of the refinery before civil defense teams brought the situation under control. Located 45 kilometers west of Tripoli, the refinery, built in 1974, has a refining capacity of over 120,000 barrels per day and serves as a key hub for fuel imports and exports.
In a statement, the NOC confirmed the suspension of operations, citing “serious damage” to multiple tanks during the early hours of December 15. “Clashes with heavy and medium weapons caused fires that have since been contained,” the company said.
Despite the disruption, NOC spokesperson Khaled Ghulam reassured residents that fuel supplies to the Brega Oil distribution company remain uninterrupted, and gasoline distribution to gas stations continues as usual.
Local media reported one fatality and ten injuries among the warring factions, though official confirmation is pending. The violence also led to the temporary closure of schools and universities in Zawiya, as well as a brief suspension of the coastal road linking the city to Tripoli.
Zawiya has been a flashpoint for recurring violence between rival armed groups. Similar clashes in May resulted in one death and several injuries before tribal leaders mediated a ceasefire.
Libya, home to Africa’s largest oil reserves, has struggled with instability and division since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Oil and gas facilities have frequently been targeted due to political disputes, security threats, or social grievances.
Despite ongoing challenges, Libya’s oil production saw a slight recovery in December, reaching 1.4 million barrels per day—a notable increase from the decade-long average of 1.2 million but still below pre-2011 levels of 1.5–1.6 million barrels per day.
