The central branch of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) has accused warplanes of the Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled army of attacking repairing workers with mortars and barrel bombs to hinder them from extinguishing the tanks on fire in Ras Lanuf oil terminals.
The PFG said on Tuesday that Haftar’s warplanes carried the air attacks despite the vows assured by the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) Mustafa Sanallah to protect the workers with a no-fly zone.
“The repairing workers refused to leave the oil terminal before finishing their job despite the air raids.” The PFG added.
It also said that it had taken the needed measures to ensure that fire doesn’t catch in other tanks since repairing and firemen work was hindered, adding that such an attack on workers also took place in Harouge-company-run field.
Sanallah said Monday on TV that destruction at the oil crescent region is pretty massive and that 8 out of 13 tanks have been damaged since 2011 revolution with five remaining intact, two of which now damaged by the new fighting.
“If these tanks collapse then Ras Lanuf terminal would not be operational anymore and its oil refinery won’t work any longer.” He explained.
Since Thursday, clashes have been ongoing between forces led by the former Head of the Petroleum Facilities Guard Ibrahim Jodran and the forces of Khalifa Haftar's self-styled army, leading to the former's control of Sidra and Ras Lanuf oil terminals.
