RFI: Ukrainian drones behind attack on Al-Zawiya oil complex

Radio France Internationale (RFI), through its Africa-focused service, reported that the attack on Libya’s Al-Zawiya oil complex has brought renewed attention to the use of foreign-made drones in conflicts between armed groups, citing indications that Ukrainian-made FPV drones using fiber-optic technology may have been deployed in the attack.

RFI said its report was based on photographs and video footage taken at the site, which it analyzed in relation to the type of drones believed to have been used. The growing presence of such drones has raised questions about which groups possess and operate them in Libya.

According to data from the Brega Oil Marketing Company, the attack destroyed Al-Zawiya power station and struck a tank containing around 13 million liters of gasoline, triggering a fire that burned for several days before firefighting teams brought it under control.

The fire damaged oil facilities and had environmental and economic repercussions, given the strategic importance of Al-Zawiya oil complex and the facilities located there.

According to Al-Mashhad, citing the RFI report, suspicions have fallen on armed groups loyal to Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. The report cited information claiming that Dbeibah had previously purchased drones from Ukraine and that such drones had been used in operations against armed groups in Al-Zawiya.

The report said this account gained further attention after an FPV suicide drone crashed near a villa close to Tripoli airport on August 10, killing a seven-year-old girl.

RFI described the crash as part of a series of incidents that, according to the report, point to the use of this type of drone in recent attacks across Libya.

RFI also cited military sources as saying that a base houses systems for launching Ukrainian drones, amid growing calls for such aircraft to be removed from the hands of armed groups.

The repercussions of Al-Zawiya oil complex attack extended beyond damage to infrastructure. The report said several workers at Al-Zawiya power station, including foreign and American personnel, were evacuated following the attack and subsequent fires.

The United States has also called for an investigation into the attack, reflecting concerns over the targeting of a vital oil facility, while the report noted the difficulties that investigations in Libya have faced since 2011.