Libya: GNA-aligned forces snatch El-Feel oilfield from Haftar’s troops

Forces aligned with UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) Wednesday announced they have taken control of El-Feel oilfield in Southern Libya, from rivals answering to rebel and military commander Khalifa Haftar.

Sabha Military Region claimed on a facebook post the seizure of El-Feel oilfield in the Southwest region of the oil rich country. The field was under the control of Haftar forces that last year seized the majority of all oil fields from the GNA, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reports.

“To all the people of Libya, the source of the Libyans’ livelihood is now safe and secure,” Sabha Military Region said in a statement.

There has been no confirmation from the GNA nor from Haftar’s forces.

However Anadolu news agency has indicated that Haftar forces, which control the Sharara oil field, raised the security alert and began deployment of fixed and mobile security patrols around the field. Sharara is Libya’s largest oilfield. It produces about 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) and accounts for nearly a third of the country’s crude output, which exceeded 1 million bpd at the end of 2018.

El-Feel oilfield is managed by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and the Italian Eni company. It produces about 70,000 barrels per day.