Libya announces dismantling of cell accused of launching drone attacks on vital facilities in the country

Tunis, Sept 6 (KUNA) -- The Libyan National Unity Government announced on Sunday the dismantling of an organized cell accused of launching drone attacks on critical facilities in the country. The Libyan government’s presidency said in a statement that the cell comprised five Libyans and foreigners, and was implicated in drone attacks laden with explosives targeting oil and electricity facilities in western Libya. It also revealed the thwarting of other plots aimed at critical infrastructure and political, security, and military figures. The statement clarified that a security and intelligence operation carried out by the Libyan Ministry of Defense resulted in the arrest of the five members, and that preliminary investigations showed the cell’s involvement in attacks targeting fuel storage tanks in Tripoli and Al-Zawiya, as well as the Al-Zawiya power station. It added that authorities had also foiled other attacks that, according to information gathered in their final preparatory stages, included targeting a power station in southern Tripoli, along with other critical facilities and political, security, and military figures. These developments follow a series of drone attacks targeting energy facilities in western Libya last August, during which the Al-Zawiya oil complex, home to the country’s largest operating refinery, suffered repeated strikes on fuel storage tanks and other facilities, including a water desalination plant, while fires broke out in fuel tanks before fire crews could bring them under control. (End) S.B.M./F.A.S.