Libya launches air strikes on smuggling hubs near Tripoli

Libya’s Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) carried out air strikes Monday on smuggling hubs west of the capital, AFP reports. The strikes targeted sites linked to fuel and drug trafficking near Zawiya, about 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Tripoli, according to a military statement. It is unclear if there were any casualties from the strikes.

Zawiya, a coastal city housing Libya’s second-largest oil refinery, has long been a hotspot for smuggling, with fuel frequently trafficked into Tunisia. Libya’s descent into chaos following the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi has allowed armed groups to finance their activities through such illicit trade.

The strikes come amid ongoing tensions between Libya’s rival administrations. The eastern-based parliament, aligned with military strongman Khalifa Haftar, accused the GNU of targeting a lawmaker’s residence. Similar air strikes in May 2023, part of an anti-smuggling campaign, caused fatalities and reignited conflict between armed groups. Libya’s divisions continue to hinder efforts to stabilize the region.