A series of drone attacks on oil facilities in Zawiya, Libya, has caused a major fire and raised concerns about the safety of shipping in the Mediterranean. The latest attack hit a fuel tank at the refinery complex, causing it to catch fire and collapse. According to Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), the tank that was hit contained about 4.5 million liters of gasoline. Firefighters continued to battle the flames, while nearby tanks were emptied and cooled to prevent the fire from spreading.

The NOC has declared a state of maximum emergency at the Zawiya complex and warned that if the attacks continue, it could declare force majeure and suspend operations completely. The latest attack is at least the third on oil infrastructure in Zawiya since August 9. Previous incidents damaged a fuel tank and a desalination plant. Despite the attacks, oil officials said the refinery, Libya’s largest currently operating, had not suffered any damage that would disrupt operations, and fuel supplies have not been affected so far.


Danger for tankers in the Mediterranean
The recurrence of attacks has also raised concerns for tankers that use Zawiya's infrastructure to load oil and its products. A further escalation could force maritime operators to change routes or postpone loading operations, while a force majeure declaration by the NOC could directly impact Libyan exports.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks so far. The incidents come at a time of heightened tension and fighting between armed groups in western Libya, raising concerns about the security of strategic energy infrastructure. If the attacks continue, the consequences could extend beyond Zawiya, affecting fuel supplies, oil exports and the activities of international shipping companies in the Mediterranean.

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