Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) dismantled an organized sabotage cell on 5 September accused of launching drone attacks on fuel storage facilities and power stations in western Libya, theguardian.com and newarab.com reported. The arrests upend plans by the Tripoli-based administration to continue cooperating with Khalifa Haftar on a U.S.-backed proposal to unify the fractured country.
Arrests in Tripoli Target Alleged LNA Sabotage Cell
The GNU defence ministry carried out a security operation in southern Tripoli that resulted in the arrests of three Libyans and one Spanish citizen, according to theguardian.com. Newarab.com reported that five people in total were detained following the raid. The three arrested Libyans are allegedly affiliated with the Tareq ben Ziyad brigade, an LNA formation, and the cell is allegedly linked to Saddam Haftar, the deputy commander of the Libyan National Army and son of Khalifa Haftar.
Authorities accused the cell of using suicide drones to strike vital energy infrastructure. The GNU stated that the network prepared further attacks targeting the South Tripoli power station, other infrastructure, and political, security and military figures. Newarab.com noted that the government did not identify the nationalities of the foreigners or name supporting states, promising to disclose details once preliminary investigations conclude.
August Drone Strikes Devastate Western Energy Infrastructure
The dismantled cell allegedly orchestrated a string of August drone attacks that worsened electricity blackouts in western Libya, theguardian.com reported. Over more than five days, explosives-laden drones struck the Zawiya oil complex and fuel storage facilities. A strike on a gasoline-storage tank holding approximately 4.5 million litres of fuel caused a large fire and collapse, according to the National Oil Corporation cited by theguardian.com.
Newarab.com reported that the Zawiya refinery, Libya’s largest operating facility with a capacity of about 120,000 barrels per day, faced repeated strikes that forced a partial shutdown. An attack on the South Zawiya substation on 12 August caused a complete outage across large areas, knocking out more than 700 megawatts of the Zawiya power station’s 1,300 MW generation capacity. General Electric subsequently suspended its work at the station and withdrew technical teams due to the security deterioration, according to newarab.com.
Sabotage Allegations Damage Unification Plan and Talks
The sabotage allegations severely damage a unification plan hatched by Donald Trump’s Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, theguardian.com reported. The Boulos proposal envisioned Khalifa Haftar taking the role of president and a member of the Dbeibah family holding the prime ministership. Sources within the GNU told theguardian.com that intelligence gathered from the arrested plotters makes cooperation with Saddam Haftar impossible.
The claims also threaten the parallel, U.N.-sponsored 4+4 talks. Walid Ellafi, minister of state for political affairs in the GNU, stated that support for the 4+4 process rests on achieving practical results leading to elections grounded in popular legitimacy, rather than an elite east-west deal that sets aside longstanding grievances such as the displacement of 9,000 families in Benghazi during the 2014 war, theguardian.com reported.
Internal LNA Power Struggles Intensify
The fallout from the alleged sabotage operation compounds an ongoing power struggle between the three sons of Khalifa Haftar, according to theguardian.com. While Saddam Haftar is viewed as his father’s most likely heir, commands the most resources, and holds backing from the United Arab Emirates, his brothers Khaled and Belqasim have begun challenging his dominance, aligning more closely with Egypt.
Drone Strikes Target Western Libya Fuel Hub
The Zawiya oil complex, located 45 kilometres west of Tripoli, serves as a crucial hub for fuel supplies across western Libya before suffering repeated explosives-laden drone strikes in August, according to newarab.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Tripoli security operation?
The GNU arrested three Libyans and one Spanish citizen on 5 September in southern Tripoli, with total detentions reaching five suspects. The detained Libyans are allegedly linked to the Tareq ben Ziyad brigade, and the cell is allegedly linked to Saddam Haftar.
What specific energy facilities were damaged in August?
Strikes hit the Zawiya oil complex, destroying a gasoline-storage tank holding approximately 4.5 million litres of fuel. An attack on the South Zawiya substation also knocked out over 700 megawatts of the power station’s generation capacity.
How does the Boulos plan propose to govern Libya?
Massad Boulos hatched a plan to unify the country by installing Khalifa Haftar as president and a member of the Dbeibah family as prime minister, though the recent sabotage allegations have jeopardized this framework.
The GNU announced that investigations into the sabotage plot will continue to identify those who planned, financed, or supported the attacks.
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