world
Heavy Clashes Erupt in Zawiya Near Oil Refinery as Security Forces Launch Large Operation
Security forces in western Libya announced a major operation based on prosecutor's warrants after fierce armed clashes broke out before dawn Friday around the Zawiya oil complex. The fighting prompted the shutdown of the refinery, evacuation of workers and an appeal for residents to stay indoors.
May 9, 9:25 AM·2m read1 source
EuronewsAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Security forces in Zawiya, western Libya, announced on Friday the launch of a large-scale security operation based on warrants issued by the competent prosecutor’s office. The Zawiya Security Directorate and the Joint Security Room said the operation includes raids, arrests, searches and the referral of suspects involved in forming criminal gangs, murder, kidnapping, unlawful detention, extortion, drug and psychotropic-substance trafficking, people smuggling, and trade in weapons and ammunition.
Fierce armed clashes with heavy weapons erupted in several parts of Zawiya before dawn on Friday and continued sporadically.
The clashes focused particularly on the area around the Zawiya oil complex and refinery before spreading to residential neighbourhoods, with bursts of gunfire and explosions heard intermittently across the city. The Emergency Medicine and Support Centre urged citizens in Zawiya to exercise extreme caution, stay at home and go out only in cases of absolute necessity.
Local sources and eyewitnesses described panic among residents as the fighting expanded from the refinery zone into nearby districts.
The National Oil Corporation and the Zawiya Oil Refining Company announced the halt of operations at the Zawiya refinery. The facility was shut down and the port cleared of tankers after shells landed in operational areas of the oil complex, with some shells reaching sensitive operational areas.
The National Oil Corporation evacuated workers and students from the oil institute except for fire-fighting crews while monitoring operations continued.
