TRIPOLI, Libya — Libya’s Zawiya Refinery, the country’s largest functioning refinery, has resumed full operations after armed clashes forced a temporary shutdown earlier this week, restoring a key pillar of the nation’s fragile energy sector recovery.
The refinery, located about 40 kilometers west of Tripoli, restarted operations Sunday after security conditions improved around the facility, according to statements from Libya’s National Oil Corporation and refinery operators. The plant processes roughly 120,000 barrels per day and is directly linked to the strategically important Sharara oilfield, one of Libya’s largest crude production assets.
The restart comes after heavy fighting near the refinery triggered emergency protocols, evacuation of tankers and a precautionary halt to operations. Authorities said several projectiles landed inside the oil complex during the clashes, although no major structural damage was reported.
According to Reuters, Libya’s National Oil Corporation confirmed fuel supplies to Tripoli and surrounding regions were not significantly disrupted during the shutdown.
Zawiya Refinery returns amid Libya oil recovery efforts
The rapid reopening of the Zawiya Refinery is being viewed as a positive sign for Libya’s oil sector, which has struggled for years with militia violence, political fragmentation and infrastructure disruptions since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
Officials said refinery crews and emergency teams worked around the clock to stabilize operations and secure storage facilities before restarting production. The refinery is considered a critical energy hub because it supports fuel distribution networks across western Libya and provides processing capacity tied to the Sharara oilfield.
A report by Al Jazeera said operations resumed after nearly two days of shutdown caused by clashes between armed groups near the industrial zone.
The refinery operator, Azzawiya Oil Refining Company, had previously declared a state of emergency after shelling struck several locations inside the facility. Tankers were evacuated from the nearby port as a precautionary measure.
Libya’s energy infrastructure remains vulnerable
Despite the swift restart, analysts warn the latest violence highlights the continued vulnerability of Libya’s oil infrastructure.
Zawiya has repeatedly become a flashpoint during periods of political instability and militia conflict. The coastal city sits along a strategic corridor connecting Tripoli to the Tunisian border and remains heavily contested by rival armed groups.
Coverage from Anadolu Agency noted that the clashes intensified into residential neighborhoods adjacent to the refinery, increasing risks to nearby civilian areas and industrial facilities.
Libya’s broader energy sector has experienced repeated shutdowns tied to political disputes, technical failures and security incidents. The country remains Africa’s second-largest oil producer, but output levels frequently fluctuate because of instability.
Industry observers say maintaining uninterrupted operations at the Zawiya Refinery is critical for Libya’s domestic fuel market and export revenues, especially as global energy markets remain sensitive to supply disruptions.
Previous disruptions reveal ongoing risks
The latest incident follows several major disruptions involving Libya’s western energy infrastructure over the past two years.
In December 2024, fires severely damaged storage reservoirs at the refinery after armed clashes erupted nearby, forcing Libya’s National Oil Corporation to declare force majeure on some operations. Reuters reported at the time that emergency crews managed to contain the fires before wider damage spread through the complex.
Earlier this year, another disruption hit the connected Sharara oilfield after a pipeline fire forced operators to redirect crude flows through alternative infrastructure to keep production active.
Older reporting from Reuters’ 2024 coverage detailed how clashes around the refinery caused extensive operational disruptions and highlighted the persistent security threats facing Libya’s energy assets.
Meanwhile, a March 2026 Reuters report on the Sharara pipeline fire showed how authorities relied on alternative transport systems connected to Zawiya storage facilities to minimize losses and stabilize production.
Zawiya Refinery remains central to Libya’s economy
The Zawiya Refinery has operated since the 1970s and remains one of Libya’s most important industrial assets. The facility produces gasoline, diesel, kerosene and other petroleum products vital to the country’s domestic market.
Energy experts say any prolonged shutdown at Zawiya could quickly impact fuel availability in western Libya and pressure export revenues that remain essential to the country’s economy.
While the latest restart has eased immediate concerns, ongoing instability continues to pose risks to long-term investment and infrastructure development across Libya’s oil sector.
Officials have not announced whether additional security measures will be implemented around the refinery following the latest clashes.
