On 18 March, Muhammad Kashlaf aka al-Qasseb – the prominent militia leader in Zawiyya, influential leader of the powerful Awlad Abu Hmeira clan, and king pin of fuel and drug smuggling — survived an assassination attempt in the city of Zawiyya. He was shot multiple times, reportedly by members of Muhammed Bajroun aka al-Far’s militia, due to disputes over control of the Zawiya oil refinery. Al-Qasseb was injured and transferred to a hospital in Zawiyya for treatment. Later that day, also in Zawiyya, a young man was shot by gunmen loyal to al-Far. On 20 March, the young man succumbed to his wounds in the hospital, while al-Qasseb reportedly still lives.
