On Monday, September 10th, 2018, an unclaimed group of six armed fighters carried out an attack on the National Oil Company in Tripoli, Libya. There was an open gun battle and one large blast—an apparent suicide attack. According to the health ministry, at least 2 company staff were killed, and 10 wounded. Interior Minister Adulsalam Ashour also reports that a “number of hostages” were taken. The Deterrence Force states that this event was a “terrorist” attack, and posted photos on Facebook claiming to contain the suicide bombers’ remains. No group currently claims responsibility for this attack, but the interior ministry reports that the attackers were likely associated with ISIL (or ISIS, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).

“The gunmen attacked the lower floors with random shooting and explosions. It’s a very violent attack,” reports Mustafa Sanallah to a Libyan TV channel. He adds that those wounded are in “serious condition.” Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed reports that there was a “state of panic” following the attack. He states, “the masked men were armed with automatic rifles when they stormed the main gate of the building. They shot at the security guards and used hand grenades.” Ahmed Ben Salem, a spokesman for the Deterrence Force, states, “The security services are looking for gunmen in the building, but our priority is to evacuate the civilians stuck inside.” He adds, “the situation is under control.”

Monday’s attack comes less than a week after a U.N.-backed truce between armed groups in Tripoli left 63 people dead. And Monday’s attack comes only several months after fighters affiliated with the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on the electoral commission offices in Tripoli which left 14 dead. These attacks highlight the continued turmoil in Libya, dating back to 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising resulted in the overthrow and death of dictator Muammar Gaddafi. With petrochemical exports accounting for 95% of state revenues under Gaddafi’s rule, Libya’s oil trade has been a central factor in the subsequent fighting.

The National Oil Company (N.O.C.) provides the majority of Libya’s state income. It is one of the two national institutions still functioning despite Libya’s chaos, making it a target. In June, Khalifa Haftar and the Libyan National Army gained full control of the region, causing the N.O.C. to declare force majeure on oil loadings at the eastern ports. According to the N.O.C. in July, this cut public revenues by $67.4 million per day. Later that month, the N.O.C. announced that production would resume at Al-Hariga, Zweitina, Ras Lanuf and Al-Sidra. And in September, the N.O.C. announced that it aims to boost oil revenues by 80% to $23 billion. The National Oil Company currently distributes its revenues through the Central Bank, which is affiliated with the U.N.-backed Government of National Accord that opposes Haftar. There is debate about whether the bank fairly and transparently distributes its revenues, making the institution a point of contestation in addition to being a general target.

Muammar Gaddafi, ruling from 1969 to 2011, is arguably responsible for nationalizing Libya’s oil trade. He used Libya’s vast oil wealth (as of 2017, Libya’s oil reserves are at an estimated 48 billion barrels) to bolster national and infrastructural projects. He was in a long-time opposition with Islamic fundamentalist groups and he was also declared a dictator, responsible for multiple human-rights violations and terrorist operations. Since his death, Libya has been in notable disunity, with a number of groups vying for power through violent means.

In light of Libya’s current state, the U.S.’ C.I.A. is set to launch drone strikes against Libya-based jihadists from a base in north-eastern Niger. Niger borders Libya, and has been in a similar state of chaos since Gaddafi’s fall. These drone strike plans, headed by the Trump administration, will give the C.I.A. increased power (whereas under the Obama administration, the U.S. military was to hold responsibility for such operations). U.S. involvement adds yet another layer to the complex clash of politics, economics and military operations occurring in Libya.

Libya’s current state is exceedingly complex, and alarmingly dangerous. Oil is Libya’s lifeline, which makes anyone affiliated with the industry vulnerable to attack. With both local and international groups demonstrating interest, goals and outcomes are ever more difficult to predict. But Libya’s citizens are suffering as a result. Peace talks among groups, as well as transparency regarding the distribution of state wealth, is necessary to make progress.

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