Libya’s National Oil Corporation warns of force majeure at Zawiya complex after drone attacks

What the report says

Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) said repeated drone attacks on facilities at the Zawiya oil complex could trigger force majeure and lead to a full shutdown of the refinery, according to Anadolu Agency Africa. The warning centered on damage and operational disruption at one of the country’s important energy sites, located west of Tripoli.

The report says the corporation issued the alert after several strikes hit the complex, raising concerns about safety and continuity of production. Force majeure is a legal and commercial declaration used when extraordinary events prevent normal business operations. In the oil sector, such a step can affect output, deliveries and contractual obligations.

The development matters because Libya’s oil industry remains highly vulnerable to security incidents and interruptions at key infrastructure. The Zawiya facility is significant both for domestic fuel supply and for the broader export-dependent economy. The NOC’s warning underscores how armed attacks can quickly translate into energy shortages and financial losses.

Background: Libya’s oil sector has faced repeated disruptions since the 2011 conflict, with facilities sometimes becoming targets in broader political and military tensions. Anadolu Agency Africa did not provide further details in the available text on who was behind the drone attacks or whether a shutdown had already begun.