Drone Strike Devastates Power Substation in Libya’s Zawiya, Sparking Regional Power Crisis DATELINE: Tripoli, Libya – August 13, 2026 LEAD A drone strike in western Libya on August 11, 2026, resulted in the complete destruction of an electrical substation in the city of Zawiya, causing widespread power outages and raising concerns about the stability of the region’s energy infrastructure. Tripoli, Libya – A drone strike has ignited a fire at an electrical substation in the city of Zawiya, knocking the facility out of service and causing extensive power outages across the region, according to the General Electricity Company of Libya (Gecol). This incident marks the sixth attack in five days, with the previous strikes targeting other energy infrastructure, but this is the first to directly impact power supply.
The strike occurred at the Zawiya oil refinery, one of the largest in Libya and a critical component of the country’s energy sector.
The state — run General Electricity Company confirmed the destruction of the substation, which has resulted in the loss of power to thousands of residents and businesses in the southern parts of the city.
The attack has raised concerns about the broader campaign against Libya’s infrastructure, with the Associated Press (AP) and ABC News reporting that these strikes indicate a deliberate effort to undermine the country’s stability.
The National News suggests that the attack was a result of ongoing fighting between two militias in the area, which are nominally affiliated with the government in Tripoli.
The power outages have prompted fears of a regional power crisis, as Zawiya’s energy infrastructure has faced repeated drone attacks.
The General Electricity Company of Libya has not yet commented on the potential long — term impact of the outage or the possibility of restoring power to the affected areas.
The destruction of the Zawiya oil refinery and the subsequent power outages come at a time when Libya is already addressing the aftermath of the 2011 revolution that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi.
The country’s energy infrastructure has been a frequent target in the conflict, with various factions using it as leverage in their disputes.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the drone strike, and the motive behind the attack remains unclear.
The incident has raised questions about the security of Libya’s energy facilities and the potential for further disruptions to the country’s power supply. KICKER: The ongoing attacks on Libya’s energy infrastructure underscore the country’s fragile security situation and the challenges it faces in restoring stability and rebuilding its economy.
As the investigation into the drone strike continues, the region awaits answers about the attacker’s identity and motive, while residents of Zawiya grapple with the immediate consequences of the power outage.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Google News
