Rocket Hits Tank At Libya’s Biggest Oil Port

A view of Es Sider export terminal in Ras Lanuf

A rocket reportedly hit a storage tank in the eastern Libyan oil of port Es Sider as armed factions allied to competing governments fought to gain control of the country’s biggest export terminal, officials said on Christmas day. Reuters report:

Clashes were also reported from Sirte, a city west of Es Sider, killing up to 19, residents said. No more details were immediately available. Es Sider and its adjacent Ras Lanuf terminal have been closed since a force allied to a rival government in Tripoli moved east trying to take them.

“A tank was hit but the damage is limited,” said an official from a security service allied to the internationally-recognized government, now operating from eastern Libya. He said there were heavy clashes in the Ben Jawad area west of Es Sider where he said some of the rival forces were based.

He accused opponents of having shot at the port from boats which they had tried to dock at Es Sider. “The air force destroyed three boats which were attempting to seize the port,” he said.

Ismail al-Shukri, spokesman for the rival force, denied this, saying war planes belonging to the other side had bombed the port. “Our forces are progressing from all directions toward Es Sider port,” he said.