Libya's Zawiya refinery hit by drone attack and fire; National Oil Corp warns of possible shutdown

A drone attack on tank number 402-T at Libya's Zawiya refinery, the country's largest operating refinery with a capacity of 120,000 barrels per day, sparked a major fire on the evening of Monday, August 10, 2026 (19 Mordad 1405), Al Jazeera reported. Libya's National Oil Corporation said the tank, which held about 4.5 million litres of gasoline, was directly targeted and collapsed after a severe blaze. The NOC said the strike followed drone attacks on a desalination unit on Sunday and a naphtha tank on Saturday. Libya's Ambulance and Emergency Service said most casualties were treated for smoke inhalation and no serious injuries were reported. The NOC warned that if the attacks continue, it will have to declare force majeure and halt operations at the refinery, located about 40km west of Tripoli.