Violent clashes erupted Sunday between rival armed groups in Libya’s western city of Zawiya, resulting in fires at the nation’s second-largest oil refinery and trapping civilians in their homes. The conflict pits Shurafaa tribal forces against fighters loyal to UN-sanctioned warlord Mohamed Kushlaf.
The National Oil Corporation declared force majeure after gunfire damaged storage tanks at the Zawiya refinery, causing “dangerous” fires and gas leaks. Firefighters battled blazes amid ongoing violence around the facility, highlighting the persistent threat to Libya’s critical oil infrastructure.
The violence, which closed major coastal routes and suspended local education, exemplifies the continuing instability in western Libya, where militias aligned with Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah’s government maintain substantial control. Residents report widespread gunfire in residential areas, creating panic among civilians.
The incident underscores Libya’s persistent division between rival administrations in Tripoli and the east, a split that has defined the nation since Moammar Gadhafi’s overthrow in 2011. The country’s western region, in particular, has become dominated by powerful militias who have accumulated significant wealth and influence.
