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// DOSSIER — drone-strike-torches-power-substation-zawiya-libya
Drone Strike Torches Power Substation in Zawiya, Libya, Amid Escalating Infrastructure Attacks
REL_TIME: 14 Aug 2026 03:42Z · LANG: EN
A drone strike on Wednesday destroyed an electrical substation in the western Libyan city of Zawiya, causing widespread power outages in its southern districts. The attack is part of a broader wave of drone strikes targeting critical energy and oil infrastructure in the city, including Libya's largest oil refinery and a major power plant. The escalating violence, driven by rising tensions between Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah's Tripoli-based government and local warlord Mohamed Bahroun, has prompted U.S. firm General Electric to withdraw its maintenance teams from the power plant, exacerbating severe power shortages. No group has claimed responsibility for the strikes.
// Background
Libya has been divided and wracked by conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Moammar Gadhafi. The country is split between rival administrations: the UN-recognized government of Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah in the west (Tripoli) and the administration of Ossama Hammad in the east, backed by military commander Khalifa Hifter. Zawiya, a critical energy hub housing Libya's largest oil refinery, is controlled by local warlord Mohamed Bahroun, whose rising tensions with Dbeibah's government form the backdrop of the recent drone strikes.
// Key Developments
- A drone strike completely destroyed a power substation in Zawiya, causing power outages across the southern parts of the city.
- The strike is the latest in a series of attacks on Zawiya's energy infrastructure, which also targeted the city's oil refinery and a power plant earlier in the week.
- U.S. company General Electric withdrew its maintenance teams from the Zawiya power plant due to security concerns, prolonging a 700-megawatt capacity deficit.
- Tensions are rising between Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah's western government and local warlord Mohamed Bahroun, who controls Zawiya.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited both western and eastern Libyan leaders in an effort to mend ties and support regional unification.
// Timeline
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The Zawiya oil refinery is repeatedly attacked by drones.
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A drone strike hits a fuel-laden tank at the Zawiya refinery, sparking a massive 15-hour fire.
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Two drones strike the Zawiya power plant, damaging its firefighting system and setting a fuel storage area on fire; Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan meets with western Libyan leaders in Tripoli.
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A drone strike completely burns down a power substation in Zawiya, causing outages; Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan travels to Benghazi to meet eastern military commander Khalifa Hifter.
// Perspectives
[Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah (Western Libyan Government)]
Condemned the attacks as a serious crime, promising firm accountability and retaliation against those responsible regardless of their influence.
[General Electricity Company (State-run)]
Expressed concern over the complete destruction of the substation, the resulting blackouts, and the prolonged loss of 700 megawatts of capacity due to the withdrawal of foreign maintenance staff.
[General Electric (GE)]
Withdrew its maintenance and upgrade teams from the Zawiya power plant until safe and secure working conditions are guaranteed.
[Turkey (represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan)]
Acting as the main foreign backer of the western government while simultaneously engaging with eastern authorities to mend ties and unify the country.
// Quotes
“a serious crime and an escalation that will not go unanswered.”
“We will reach those responsible for this attack, and the accountability will be firm. No one will be protected by their position, status, or influence,”
