Friday, May 08, 2026

World News

Photo Credit: ONA

Libya’s Zawiya Refinery shuts down amid armed clashes

Libya’s Zawiya Oil Refining Company has announced a complete shutdown of operations at the Zawiya refinery and evacuated oil tankers from the port after armed clashes erupted near the oil complex in the western city of Zawiya, close to the capital Tripoli.

TAS News Service

info@thearabianstories.com

Friday, May 8, 2026

Tripoli: In a statement carried by the Libyan News Agency (LANA), the company said several heavy shells landed inside operational areas of the refinery during the clashes, posing a direct threat to workers, oil facilities, and the surrounding environment.

The company confirmed that an emergency response committee and relevant departments had been activated to monitor the safety of employees inside the facilities and secure essential needs as tensions escalated in the area.

Authorities have since suspended all refinery operations and evacuated the oil port of tankers as a precautionary measure amid fears of further escalation.

Meanwhile, the Zawiya Security Directorate, alongside the Joint Security Room and other security agencies, announced the launch of a large-scale security operation targeting wanted individuals and armed outlaws. Officials said the operation is part of efforts to restore stability, strengthen security, and reinforce state authority in the region.

The Libyan Red Crescent also reported receiving distress calls from residents as panic spread among civilians due to random shelling that reportedly struck residential homes. Despite the ongoing clashes, no fatalities have been officially reported so far.

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