Libyan authorities are working to control a large fire at the Zawiya oil refinery, located west of the capital Tripoli, following a drone strike that damaged a fuel storage tank. The attack occurred on Monday evening and marked the third such incident at the facility within two days. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) confirmed that the strike hit a tank holding approximately 4.5 million litres of fuel, causing a massive explosion and fire that collapsed the structure. The NOC warned that ongoing attacks might lead to the suspension of operations at the site. While there were no reports of serious injuries, medical teams treated several individuals for smoke inhalation. The Zawiya refinery, which processes 120,000 barrels of oil per day, is the largest operational facility in Libya. The recent attacks have intensified concerns over the country's security and stability, particularly as it continues to be divided between rival factions. The National Oil Corporation condemned previous incidents, including drone strikes on a naphtha reservoir and a water desalination plant, and urged authorities to investigate the perpetrators. These attacks highlight the persistent unrest that has followed the 2011 overthrow of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, whose regime lasted nearly four decades before being ousted through a Western-backed uprising. In parallel, a high-profile assassination took place in eastern Libya, where the head of military intelligence for forces controlled by Khalifa Haftar was killed in a targeted attack. Fawzi al-Mansouri, the intelligence chief, died when an explosive device planted beneath his vehicle detonated in the al-Sayyida Aisha neighborhood of Benghazi. The incident was described by a Libyan security official as a "terrorist attack," though no formal statement has yet been released by the authorities. The attack has raised questions about the security situation in eastern Libya, even as the forces loyal to Haftar claim to maintain control over the region. The killing of Mansouri has cast doubt on the stability of the eastern administration, which has long sought to position itself as a unified authority against the internationally recognized government in Tripoli. Khaled Haftar, the son of the LNA commander, stated that an investigation had been launched and that the attack appeared to be part of a broader campaign of terrorism aimed at destabilizing the region. Analysts suggest that the assassination, along with the refinery attacks, underscores the fragility of security in eastern Libya, despite the dominance of Haftar’s forces. Meanwhile, the central bank of Libya faced additional turmoil as its governor, Naji Issa, announced his resignation via a letter circulated on social media and local news platforms. The letter addressed the heads of the House of Representatives and the High State Council, stating that Issa would no longer hold his position. He cited the sensitivity of the reasons behind his decision but did not elaborate. This resignation adds to the growing list of political and administrative upheavals in the country. The combination of these events, drone strikes on critical infrastructure, a high-profile assassination, and the resignation of a key official, has significantly worsened the already precarious political and security landscape in Libya. The nation remains deeply divided, with the internationally recognized government in Tripoli facing off against an eastern administration supported by Haftar. As tensions escalate, the outlook for stability appears increasingly uncertain.
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