On 7 January, the West Coast Military Region announced in a statement the activation of fixed deployment points and mobile patrols around Zawiyya refinery and its entrances, ‘to ensure the smooth running of operations and the continuity of production,’ confirming its commitment to maintaining the security of vital facilities and protecting them. The statement stressed that operations will continue until their goals of restoring security and eliminating criminal activities are achieved, while ensuring the protection of civilians and preserving public and private property. They established checkpoints, including at the main entrance to the refinery (with platoon-sized (~30px) forces, and began patrolling. A number of drug dealers were arrested when trying to escape from Zawiyya.
Later the same day, the Commander of the West Coast Military Region and Deputy Chief of Staff (CoS) Salaheddin al-Namroush met with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zawiyya Oil Refining Company, Imad Bin Koura, as well as directors of several departments and operating staff to discuss securing the facilities. The two parties reportedly stressed the importance of enhancing coordination between security and administrative bodies to ensure the safety of vital facilities within the refinery and the continuation of smooth operations. Al-Namroush was accompanied by several of his staff officers and by the commander of his Military Police.
Al-Namroush also met with representatives of the Coast Guard and Ports Authority in the Zawiyya Refinery. During the meeting, al-Namroush discussed ‘ways to enhance coordination between the military region and the authority to secure the coasts and vital facilities’.
On 9 January, al-Namroush inspected his troops securing Zawiyya refinery, the Zawiya Coast Guard and the Ports Authority, where he discussed coordination between West Coast Military District, Coast Guard, and the Ports Authority. At the refinery, al-Namroush met again the Chair of the Zawiyya Oil Refining Company, discussing challenges that hinder the workflow of the refinery and improve cooperation.
Later on, al-Namroush, his staff, and the director of the Zawiyya Security Directorate briefed Presidential Council (PC) Deputy Abdullah al-Lafi on the progress of the military operation and the West Coast Military District – Zawiyya Security Directorate security cooperation plan. Al-Namroush explained that the operation is progressing according to the plan. The military provides all necessary support to secure and support the security authorities in the city to fight crime and pursue those wanted for justice in order to establish a stable situation.
On 11 January in the afternoon, militia members loyal to Muhammed Bahroun aka al-Far blocked a traffic light at a main road in al-Muradad in western Zawiyya. They protested against the arrest of five members of their militia who allegedly attempted to assassinate Abdul Majid Mleqta on 14 June 2024 in Tripoli. The forces of the West Coast Military District did not intervene.
Altogether, over the last few days, a couple of illegal fuel storage sites were raided by the troops of the West Coast Military District in the greater Zawiyya area. Some of them were destroyed. Very few smugglers were arrested.