On 24 February in the evening and during the night, there were several street protests in Zawiyya. Several streets were closed while just a few kilometers away from the refinery, long lines of people were waiting for the distribution of cooking gas.
On 25 February in the evening, a few hundred people held a demonstration sparked by worsening living conditions and the sharp rise of the cost of the dollar on the parallel market. They blocked al-Sumoud Gate, including with burning tires. The protesters called for a sweeping political change with marches spreading through several streets. A rally was held in front of the Security Directorate, calling for the resignation of the Minister of Interior Emad Trabelsi and of the entire current political class.
On 26 February in the afternoon, the HQ of a local militia in Zawiyya was allegedly attacked by a drone.
In the evening of 26 February, demonstrations in Zawiyya and in al-Ajilat demanded the overthrow of the Dabaiba government because of its failure to meet the needs of the citizens. During a demonstration on Zawiyya’s Martyr’s Square, the launch of an ‘uprising’ against all political entities was announced. Calls were made on ‘all’ cities to join a mass protest the following day (Friday 27) at Tripoli’s Martyr’s Square.
On 1 March, residents of Zawiyya warned that they will shut down the city’s refinery, the Mellitah oil complex, and the coastal road, and march toward the government and UN mission headquarters, if authorities do not release three young men detained during the ‘peaceful protest’ in Tripoli on 27 February, holding the government and security forces fully responsible for their safety.