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Statement of NOC on Clashes Near Zawiya Refinery
The National Oil Corporation regretfully declares a force majeure and level three (the highest) emergency. This is because several Zawiya refinery storage tanks sustained significant damage from gunfire, on Early Sunday morning, December 15th, that led to serious fires. This damage is a direct consequence of armed clashes using light and medium weapons in the refinery’s vicinity.
The security and safety personnel were able to bring the fires and gas leaks under control, and limit the spread of danger, despite the continuing clashes around the refinery at the time of issuing this statement. This situation puts the lives of workers and the entire surrounding population at considerable and unpredictable risk.
The Board of Directors of the National Oil Corporation is in permanent session with all its concerned Departments and Centers to monitor the developments in the area and take the necessary decisions and measures to mitigate the risks that could threaten lives and property of the inhabitants.
The NOC Board urges relevant institutions and authorities to assume their responsibilities and act urgently to stop these clashes and keep oil facilities out of the conflict zone, regardless of the causes or motives.
The Board also calls on the GNU to intervene to resolve these clashes and quell the unrest by any means necessary. The continued risk of similar damage to the refinery’s storage tanks, which contain highly flammable materials, poses a grave danger to civilian lives.