Libya – Conflict – Oil
At least four oil storage tanks have been set ablaze during deadly fighting in Libya as the ISIS group tries to seize export terminals, the National Oil Company said Wednesday.
The clashes, in which at least 10 security guards have died, began Monday as UN envoy Martin Kobler struggles to convince the oil-rich North African country’s rival parliaments to agree on a unity government deal brokered by the world body.
The fires broke out at key terminals in Al-Sidra and Ras Lanouf, located in the so-called “oil crescent” along Libya’s northern coast, said a statement from the NOC management loyal to the internationally recognized government.
The NOC statement did not make clear whether the fires were still burning or if fighting was still under way for a third successive day in the ISIS push to seize the terminals.
A senior executive with the Sirte Oil Co told AFP that four tanks were still ablaze in Al-Sidra.
But Mohamad al-Manfi, an NOC spokesman, was quoted by the Libyan news agency close to the recognized regime as saying “calm has returned to the area after two days of fighting.”
Ali al-Hassi, a spokesman for security guards in Al-Sidra, said: “We have lost 10 of our men since the beginning of the IS offensive on the terminals,” AFP reported.
S/SH
string(1865) "[{"id":"1765585","sort":"3471724","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2015/12/02/alalam_635846682550840034_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"ISIS Terrorists Expand Territory in Africa, Advance to East of Libya"} ,{"id":"1767359","sort":"3471723","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2015/12/08/alalam_635851845551699417_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"Washington Claims Death of ISIS Commander in Libya"} ,{"id":"1767677","sort":"3471722","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2015/12/09/alalam_635852662053242879_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"ISIS Leader Al-Baghdadi Escapes to Sirte in Libya, Home of Gaddafi: Reports"} ,{"id":"1768792","sort":"3471721","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2015/12/13/alalam_635856001525744668_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"US and Italy Call Meeting to Push Libya Peace Deal, Fear of ISIS Serious"} ,{"id":"1768841","sort":"3471720","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2015/12/13/alalam_635856111039115774_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"UK May Attack ISIS in Libya: Government Source"} ,{"id":"1770355","sort":"3471719","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2015/12/18/alalam_635860270350878239_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"US Special Commanders Ordered to Leave Libya"} ,{"id":"1770473","sort":"3471718","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2015/12/18/alalam_635860480462784882_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"UK to Send 1,000 Troops and Special Forces to Libya to Fight ISIS"} ,{"id":"1771804","sort":"3471717","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2015/12/22/alalam_635863972170863679_25f_4x3.mp4","title":"VIDEO: ISIS Mocks West by Unveiling ‘Police Force’ in Libya"} ,{"id":"1774680","sort":"3471716","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/01/01/alalam_635872325612289337_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"UN Libya Envoy in Push for National Unity Government against ISIS Deployment"} ,{"id":"1776095","sort":"3471715","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/01/04/alalam_635875414340360613_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"ISIS Terrorists Attack Key Libya Oil Facility: Military"} ]"