Libya: Benghazi Defence Forces capture two main oil export terminals

Libya

Published on Wednesday, 8 March 2017 Back to articles

On 3 March, the Benghazi Defence Forces (BDF) and possibly some militias from Misrata left Jufra to launch a three-pronged attack to take over strategically important eastern oil ports from Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA). Along the way these forces may have received support from anti-LNA cells in Ajdabiya — the closest city to the major eastern oil terminals — that has been under the LNA’s control for months.

These forces were not acting on behalf of the Government of National Accord (GNA), and the Presidency Council released a statement on the evening of the 3 March condemning the attack. UN Special Envoy Martin Kobler reiterated these condemnations shortly thereafter. Initially the BDF denied that it was attacking the ports, as it had done in December 2016, and insisted that it was trying to return their families to their homes in Benghazi. The LNA responded by launching airstrikes against the advancing fighters and declaring a state of emergency in the east. These airstrikes continued almost constantly into the weekend. The NOC’s emergency committee also monitored the situation but did not immediately release a statement about the attack.

By the end of the day on 3 March it appeared that the LNA had engaged in a tactical retreat from Ras Lanuf and Es Sidra and had left the fate of the ports and their valuable production in question. There were conflicting reports about whether the BDF had captured the actual ports or just buildings in the surrounding area. The LNA spokesman, Ahmed Al-Mismari, explained that the tactical retreat sought to avoid further damage to the ports. The LNA was able to hold Brega port despite attacks there as well, but the BDF also captured a number of high-ranking LNA officers in the area.

A detailed analysis of the attack — how it was carried out; why it succeeded; the current strength of the various factions; and its likely implications on the Libya’s politics, security and economy — is included in the current issue of Libya Focus which will be published on later this week.

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