Libya’s Government of National Unity announced the arrest of five people linked to attacks targeting oil facilities and critical infrastructure in Tripoli and Zawiya in the west of the country.
The government said those arrested in a security and intelligence operation conducted by the Ministry of Defense included Libyan and foreign nationals. The statement did not specify which countries the foreign nationals were from.
Oil and electricity facilities targeted in Zawiya
The detainees were said to be linked to attacks carried out with explosive-laden unmanned aerial vehicles targeting oil storage tanks in Tripoli and Zawiya and an electricity power plant in Zawiya.
During the first half of August, attacks were carried out with unmanned aerial vehicles prepared for remote detonation against facilities at the Zawiya Oil Complex, located about 50 kilometers west of Tripoli. The government said the attacks caused damage to the oil infrastructure.
During the same period, electricity-generating plants and water facilities in Zawiya were also targeted in similar attacks. Attacks targeting an oil tank and an electricity power plant in Tripoli caused no damage.
Government announces that plans for further attacks were thwarted
The Libyan government said the Ministry of Defense had also thwarted other attack plans that had not yet been carried out. The plans reportedly included targeting an electricity power plant south of Tripoli, as well as critical facilities and political, security and military officials.
The statement said the incidents were not isolated or random acts. The government alleged that they were part of a coordinated sabotage plan targeting infrastructure, energy resources, oil facilities and electricity power plants.
The government said dismantling the cell did not mark the end of the operation and that efforts to uncover the plan’s connections would continue. The statement added that efforts would continue to arrest other suspects and identify those who planned, financed, supported or facilitated the attacks.
