Italian Senator Vito Petrocelli, former head of the Italian Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee, has disclosed new information about a sabotage cell operating in Libya. According to Petrocelli, the cell, which has been targeting Libya's oil facilities with drones, is linked to Omar Al-Maraj, a prominent commander of the Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade. This brigade is one of Libya's most influential and well-known armed groups, led by Saddam Haftar.
The Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade has been involved in several significant incidents in Libya, including the November 2021 storming of the Sebha court to prevent the consideration of Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's candidacy for the presidential election. The brigade has been accused of serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and forced disappearances. In December 2022, Amnesty International published a report detailing these abuses, which also included allegations of sexual violence and forced displacement.
In recent months, Libya's oil facilities have been targeted in a series of drone attacks. In August 2026, the Zawiya oil complex was attacked, resulting in a fire and the collapse of a fuel tank containing approximately 4.5 million liters of gasoline. Several people suffered from asphyxiation due to the incident. On September 3, 2026, a drone attack targeted the Tripoli oil depot, narrowly missing a fuel tank without causing any human casualties.
The attacks have disrupted the operations of the National Oil Corporation and threatened Libya's domestic fuel supplies. In addition to the drone strikes, a group of armed individuals closed a pipeline used for oil loading between the Sharara field and the Zawiya port in September 2026. This closure resulted in a loss of approximately 130,000 barrels per day of oil production.
According to available information, the sabotage cell responsible for the attacks consists of three high-ranking members of the Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade, along with a Spanish mercenary working for a private company. The cell's actions have caused significant concern among Libyan authorities and the international community.
The involvement of the Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade in these sabotage operations has raised questions about the group's motives and the extent of its influence in Libyan politics. The brigade's leader, Saddam Haftar, has been a key figure in Libyan politics, and the group's actions have significant implications for the country's stability and security.
The situation in Libya remains volatile, with ongoing concerns about the security of oil facilities and the potential for further sabotage. The international community continues to monitor developments in the region, with many calling for increased stability and security in the country.
Key points
- The sabotage cell responsible for targeting Libya's oil facilities is linked to Omar Al-Maraj, a commander of the Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade.
- The Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade has been accused of serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances.
- The drone attacks have disrupted Libya's oil production and threatened the country's domestic fuel supplies.
