An analytical report published by “Al-Araby Al-Jadeed” newspaper questioned the reasons for the city of Zawiya’s transformation into a hotbed of conflict between a mix of armed groups, stressing that its location on the Mediterranean coast as the “western gate” to Tripoli and its hosting of the country’s second-largest oil refinery give it decisive weight in the balance of power.
A state of cautious calm prevailed following confrontations between rival militias; schools cautiously reopened their doors, and workers began repairing damaged infrastructure, while fears of renewed fighting persist among residents.
Analyst Ayoub Al-Oujali believes the clashes are recurrent due to the city’s unique characteristics, its tribal nature, the multiplicity of controlling groups, and their quest to expand influence, in addition to competition over the revenues from illegal immigration networks (around $3,500 per migrant) and the struggle over detention centers and fuel smuggling operations linked to the refinery.
Economic analyst Ali Al-Farsi explained that the repeated conflicts have damaged the Zawiya refinery and its depots, which affects the supply of car oils and types of fuel to the local market and power stations, warning that plans to increase production are being undermined by the instability in the western cities.
The report conveyed the account of citizen Abdulsalam Al-Warfalli (45 years old), who encountered dirt barriers, road closures, and a heavy deployment of vehicles and armed personnel, before hastily returning to his home and locking the doors and windows to avoid stray fire. Meanwhile, his children’s school in west Zawiya sustained damage to its windows and courtyards.