Insecurity rises in Zawiyya amid rumours around control of the refinery

Jan 22, 2025 | Libyan actors

On 24 January, there was a rumour that Zawiyya militia leader Muhammad Kashlaf aka al-Qasseb gave the troops of the Libyan Army West Coast Military District at the refinery in Zawiyya a 72 hours dead-line to hand back the refinery to the local Petroleum Facilities Guard, which is also commanded by al-Qasseb. Subsequently, the West Coast Military District denied that such an ultimatum exists. Its forces will remain at the refinery. On 26 January, one man was killed and two wounded in fighting between rival militias in Zawiyya.