Libyan National Army Shells Terminal at Port of Tripoli - Ships Evacuated

Gray Page Alert:

Background

The port of Tripoli came under shell and missile fire on February 18.

At least three people were killed and five injured.

Libya's state oil firm NOC said it had evacuated a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker and a gasoline tanker after a missile landed meters from where the LPG tanker had been discharging.

All fuel-offloading operations at the port were cancelled and NOC said it would be exploring other ways to supply Tripoli with fuel.

The Libyan National Army (LNA), one of the factions in Libya's civil war, carried out the attack.

Assessment and Analysis

The security situation in Libya remains extremely volatile.

Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has failed to establish control in the country.

It had been in talks with the Libyan National Army (LNA) but suspended negotiations after the February 18 attack.

The LNA claimed it had been targeting a Turkish vessel bringing weapons but later said it had hit an arms depot.

The LNA already controls many of Libya's ports. Tripoli, although it had been the scene of fighting in 2019, has remained in the hands of the GNA.

It was unclear in the aftermath of the attack how soon normal operations would be able to resume.

Port officials had been quoted as saying all vessels, not just tankers, had been moved.

Ships should to continue to exercise caution when entering Libyan ports and waters.

The security situation at any of the Libya's ports, whether controlled by the GNA or the LNA, can change without warning.

Ships should stay in close contact with port authorities and ships' agents to ensure they have up-to-date and reliable information.

They should follow official navigation routes and avoid navigating in coastal waters off the closed ports of Sirte and Derna.

Turkish ships and crews should avoid calling at any port controlled by the LNA as Turkey has been supporting the GNA.

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