Key oil ports captured by Eastern Libyan forces

Libya

TRIPOLI, September 12, 2016 – At least two key oil ports were seized by a faction loyal to East Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar from forces loyal to Libya’s UN-backed government on Sunday.

The announcement was made by Ahmed Al Mismari, a spokesperson for Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA). The delegate said LNA forces took complete control of the ports of Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Brega and Zueitina on Libya’s Mediterranean coastline after an early morning operation. Libya’s National Oil Corporation confirmed that LNA seized Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, while the situation in Zueitina and Brega is yet to be confirmed.

These attacks could further threaten ongoing efforts to restart Libya’s oil production, an endeavor that is deemed critical to save the country’s economy and strengthen the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA). Since 2011 and the uprising that ended Muammar Gaddafi’s regime, Libya’s oil production has fallen from 1.6 million bopd to 200,000 bopd.

Targeted ports were previously controlled by the Petrol Facilities Guard, who came to an agreement with the GNA last July to end its blockade of the Ras Lanuf, Es Sider and Zueitina ports. However, despite a few oil shipments in August, there had been little sign of rapid resumption of operations at the marine assets. The LNA’s takeover is likely to make the deal irrelevant.
Islamic State militants had damaged Ras Lanuf and Es Sider facilities earlier this year.

While Western states are backing the GNA in a hope to stabilise the country, the LNA has been resisting efforts to overcome divisions between factions in the east and the west and build a unified armed force, despite a common goal of dislodging Islamic militants from Eastern Libya. Haftar has become a political leader for many in the region who do not consider the Tripoli-based GNA legitimate.