By Claudia Carpenter, Saleh Sarrar and Hatem Mohareb

(Bloomberg) — Libya’s National Oil Corp. issued a “cry for help” as Islamic State militants attacked oil storage tanks within the area of Es Sider, the nation’s largest oil port which has been closed for greater than a 12 months.

Political leaders within the divided nation ought to shortly kind a unity authorities and set up a unified pressure to revive peace and defend pure sources, Mustafa Sanalla, chairman of the state-run NOC, stated Wednesday in an e-mailed assertion. NOC is dedicated to its partnership with international oil firms and has taken measures to assist defend oil staff and amenities, based on a press release on the corporate’s web site.

Islamic State militants attacked oil storage tanks in Es Sider and the close by Ras Lanuf oil port over the previous few days, partaking in lethal clashes with members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard. Two guards have been killed and 16 others wounded on Tuesday, Ali al-Hasy, a spokesman for the pressure, stated by cellphone. Four tanks in Es Sider caught fireplace on Tuesday, and a fifth one in Ras Lanuf the day earlier than, he stated.

“We are helpless and not being able to do anything against this deliberate destruction to the oil installations” in Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, NOC stated Tuesday in a press release. “National Oil Corporation urges all faithful and honorable people of this homeland to hurry to rescue what is left from our resources before it is too late.”

Oil Crescent

Libya, with Africa’s largest oil reserves, pumped about 1.6 million barrels a day of crude earlier than the 2011 riot that ended Moammar Al Qaddafi’s 42-year rule. It’s now the smallest producer within the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, producing 370,000 barrels a day in December, knowledge compiled by Bloomberg present. Since Qaddafi’s ouster and demise, Libya has fractured into two separately-run areas, and numerous armed militias compete for management of its oil fields, ports and associated amenities.

The newest assaults are a part of the Islamic State’s “declared strategy of isolating and controlling energy assets in Libya,” Ludovico Carlino, senior analyst at IHS Country Risk, stated in a report. They have been “likely diversionary operations” throughout Islamic State’s takeover of the city of Bin Jawad, a seizure that will allow the group to increase and join “its controlled territory around Sirte to the ‘oil crescent.’”

Islamic State militants tried beforehand to assault Es Sider in October, killing one guard, however have been repelled on the terminal gate. Es Sider and Ras Lanuf terminals have each been closed to grease exports since pressure majeure was declared in December 2014 when armed teams attacked the ports. Force majeure is a authorized standing defending a celebration from legal responsibility if it might’t fulfill a contract for causes past its management.

–With help from Tarek El-Tablawy.

©2016 Bloomberg News