Renewed Armed Chaos in Libya’s Zawiya: Oil Refinery Caught in the Crossfire

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Armed clashes have once again erupted in the city of Zawiya, west of Libya, between rival militias affiliated with the expired mandate Government of National Unity, plunging the area into security chaos and spreading fear among residents.

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The Red Crescent and emergency centers issued urgent appeals to residents to stay away from windows and remain indoors. At the same time, the Zawiya Oil Refining Company voiced deep concern over the fighting taking place near its facilities, warning of potential risks to workers’ safety and to Libya’s vital national resources.

Eyewitnesses said that violent confrontations—among the fiercest since the early morning—broke out between the so-called “Security Threats Counter Unit” and the “Capos” militias along the road leading to the Zawiya refinery. The clashes reportedly followed the arrest of militia members by security forces.

According to the same sources, the situation escalated rapidly, with indiscriminate gunfire in several neighborhoods, resulting in casualties and injuries.

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Appeals for Help

The Red Crescent branch in Zawiya urged residents to remain at home and avoid windows for their own safety. The Emergency Medicine and Support Center similarly called on citizens to stay indoors, especially around the refinery, and published emergency numbers for assistance.

Meanwhile, the Zawiya Education Authority issued urgent instructions to school principals in conflict zones, granting them the authority to suspend classes and close schools to safeguard both students and teachers.

Oil Refinery Under Threat

The Zawiya Oil Refining Company expressed grave concern over the proximity of the fighting to the oil complex. In an official statement, it strongly condemned the armed clashes and appealed for an immediate ceasefire, stressing that any attack on oil facilities constitutes a direct threat to the resources of the entire Libyan people.

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A City at the Mercy of Militias

These developments reflect the reality of Zawiya, home to one of Libya’s most important oil refineries, but in recent years transformed into a hub of smuggling and organized crime. Rival armed groups have vied for political, security, and economic control, undermining the authority of the state.

The city often witnesses recurring outbreaks of violence linked to disputes over territorial control and the division of illicit revenues, fueled by the widespread availability of uncontrolled weaponry across western Libya.

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The Anarchy of Weapons

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has been mired in chaos. Unofficial estimates suggest that more than 29 million weapons are circulating outside state control.

Zawiya stands as one of the most glaring hotspots of this phenomenon, where a vital oil refinery remains a sensitive target, constantly at risk from the armed militias that dominate the area.

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