BENGHAZI, Libya, Jan 4 (Reuters) – Islamic State militants clashed with safety forces close to Libya’s Es Sider oil export terminal on Monday killing two guards, whereas an oil storage tank at close by Ras Lanuf was set on hearth throughout combating there, witnesses and a guard mentioned.

The guard informed Reuters that Islamic State suicide automotive bombers had attacked Es Sider, after which the insurgents retreated, and that the tank at Ras Lanuf, about 20 km (13 miles) from Es Sider, had been hit by a rocket.

A spokesman for Libya’s National Oil Company (NOC) mentioned the tank was holding about 400,000 barrels of oil. The NOC was nonetheless making an attempt to place out the hearth late on Monday night.

Libya descended into chaos after the autumn of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 and rival governments and the militias that assist them are combating for management of the North African state and its power reserves. Es Sider and Ras Lanuf, its largest oil ports lie between Sirte and Benghazi and have been shut for a yr.

Islamic State has taken benefit the safety vacuum to seize territory and is threatening to advance from Sirte, which it controls. So far the group has did not take management of any Libyan oil installations however has accomplished so in Syria.

The group mentioned it had attacked Es Sider after taking the close by city of Ben Jawad. However, there was no impartial affirmation of its seize.

Es Sider is protected by Ibrahim al-Jathran’s Petrol Facilities Guard, which has backed the federal government based mostly within the metropolis of Bayda within the east, however can also be combating different forces supporting that authorities.

Libya’s crude oil manufacturing has dropped to lower than 1 / 4 of a 2011 excessive of 1.6 million barrels per day.

The United Nations has been making an attempt to win assist for a deal brokered in Morocco final month to create a nationwide unity authorities for Libya.

Separately on Monday, a aircraft concentrating on militant teams within the jap metropolis of Benghazi was shot down, although the pilot ejected, senior military commander Fadel al-Hassi informed Reuters.

Forces allied to the Bayda authorities have been battling insurgents based mostly in Benghazi for months. (Reporting by Ayman Al-Warfalli; Writing by Patrick Markey and Aidan Lewis; Editing by Louise Ireland)

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