Sources from “Al-Wasat Gate” reported on Saturday evening that an “unidentified group” has shut down the Sharara oil field in southwestern Libya.
A source added that “the group received orders to close the field,” without providing further details.
Meanwhile, Bashir Al-Sheikh, head of the “Fezzan Movement,” announced the actual start of the field’s closure in a post on his Facebook page.
Al-Sheikh did not provide reasons for the closure of the field, which produces 350,000 barrels per day.
This is not the first time the field has been shut down. Earlier this year, groups of protesters closed the Sharara oil field, demanding better living conditions, the construction of a refinery in the south, maintenance of deteriorating roads, and an end to fuel shortages in southern Libya. Production resumed two weeks later, on January 21.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
