Fire erupts at Libya's Zawiya refinery after drone attack

The national oil company warned on Thursday that it may suspend operations at the nation’s largest operating refinery if the recent wave of drone attacks does not cease. The statement, issued after a series of unmanned aerial vehicle incursions over the past month, cited escalating safety risks and the potential for significant damage to critical infrastructure. Officials noted that the refinery, which processes roughly 30 percent of the country’s crude output, has already experienced temporary shutdowns and production losses due to the attacks.

Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, with security forces increasing patrols and the government urging neighboring states to cooperate on airspace protection. The company emphasized that a prolonged halt would disrupt fuel supplies, raise domestic fuel prices and could have broader repercussions for the national economy. It called on all parties to respect the facility’s operational integrity, indicating that any further escalation could compel a full suspension of refinery activities.