Libya militants mount airstrike near oil terminals

Libya Dawn militant group has carried out an aerial attack on an area near key oil terminals in the eastern part of the country.

According to a Libyan security official on Tuesday, the militant group launched an airstrike on the oil region of al-Hilal, which is home to the al-Sidra, Ras Lanuf and Brega oil terminals.

This is the first airstrike by the militant group on the oil region, intensifying the battle for the government-held facilities in the area.

The missiles fired by a warplane hit an area to the west of al-Sidra. The strike, however, did not cause any casualties or serious damage. The warplane was subsequently repelled by anti-aircraft fire.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya slammed the military escalation in al-Hilal, saying, “The Libyan oil belongs to the Libyan people and should not be manipulated by any group.”

Troops of Libya’s internationally-recognized government have been involved in clashes with militants who are advancing toward the oil-rich eastern parts.

On Saturday, the Libyan air force conducted airstrikes on militant positions near the oil ports of Es-Sider and Ras Lanuf, said Saqer al-Joroushi, a Libyan air force commander.

The armed battle over eastern oil ports and the main border crossing to Tunisia forced the closure of Libya’s two biggest oil export terminals on December 13.

Libya Dawn militants seized the capital, Tripoli, in August after a month-long battle with rivals and set up their own government and parliament.

Libya has been gripped by militancy and factional fighting since the ouster of the longtime dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, in 2011. The militant groups that helped drive him out are now fighting for power and a share of the oil revenues.