A drone attack on a critical power substation in Libya’s western city of Zawiya caused massive destruction, with the facility completely engulfed in flames and the city’s southern areas plunged into darkness.
What Happened
According to Libya’s state-owned General Electricity Company, a drone strike targeted a power substation in Zawiya on Wednesday. The attack caused a massive fire that completely destroyed the facility.
Recent Escalation
The attack is the latest in a series of drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure in Zawiya. On Monday, a fuel tank at the city’s oil refinery was hit in a drone attack, triggering a large fire that took firefighters more than 15 hours to control.
The state-owned National Oil Corporation confirmed the refinery had been repeatedly targeted on Tuesday and over the previous weekend. On Tuesday, two drone attacks also struck the city’s power plant. One drone damaged the firefighting system, while another crashed near the main fuel storage area, sparking a fire.
Impact on Power Supply
The destruction of the substation has affected power supply to Zawiya’s southern areas. No group has claimed responsibility for any of the attacks.
GE Workers Withdrawn
The escalating violence has prompted US company General Electric to withdraw its staff from the power plant. The company had been performing maintenance and modernization work at the facility.
According to officials, the withdrawal of GE personnel due to security concerns has affected the plant’s productivity, reducing output from its approximately 1,300-megawatt capacity.
Background
Zawiya is located approximately 47 kilometers west of Tripoli and has a population of about 250,000. The city is one of Libya’s most important energy hubs, housing the country’s largest oil refinery, a key oil export terminal and a power plant.
The attacks are linked to growing tensions between the western Libyan government and warlord Mohammed Bahroun, who has influence over the city. Most areas of western Libya are under the influence of various armed groups affiliated with Prime Minister Dbeibah’s government in Tripoli.
What’s Next
The continued attacks on energy infrastructure raise concerns about Libya’s power and oil production capabilities. The withdrawal of GE staff could further impact the country’s electricity generation capacity.
Conclusion
The destruction of Zawiya’s power substation marks a significant escalation in attacks on Libya’s energy infrastructure. As tensions mount between armed groups and the government, the city’s critical facilities remain vulnerable to further strikes.
