The armed forces associated with the House of Representatives (HoR), operating under the banner of Operation Dignity and led by General Khalifa Haftar, regained control of the Al-Sedra and Ras-Lanuf oil terminals on Tuesday after engaging in combat with the Benghazi Defense Brigades (BDB) and the Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG) linked to the Presidential Council (PC) of the Government of National Accord (GNA).

Mohamed Al-Gabaely, a spokesperson for the Dignity Operation’s Petroleum Guards, reported that their troops now hold the two significant terminals and are preparing to pursue the retreating forces. Al-Gabaely confirmed that three combatants were killed and 17 were injured during the clashes with the BDB.

On Tuesday morning, the Dignity Operation launched an offensive on the eastern and southern fronts with air support. The BDB had previously controlled the territory stretching from Nufalya in the west to Agela in the east before ceding control of Al-Sedra and Ras-Lanuf to the GNA.

The official page of Haftar’s armed forces declared that “the Oil Crescent Region is fully under control,” a claim corroborated by spokesperson Ahmed Al-Mesmary, who mentioned that “the armed forces are advancing towards Harawa.” Muftah Megarief, the commander of Haftar’s PFG, announced in a media briefing that the “Oil Crescent Region will be liberated within hours.” Brigade 302 commander Omran Al-Hamaly added that “we are tracking the BDB brigades and are close to securing the entire area.” Media outlets associated with the Dignity Operation released photos purportedly showing the Al-Sedra terminal, though the BDB did not confirm or refute these claims.

Reports indicate that GNA petroleum guards and the BDB successfully repelled an attack by Dignity forces. Commander Yasser Al-Jebali of the BDB stated that their forces are maintaining their positions around the Oil Crescent Region, with Benghazi as their target. He claimed that while they had transferred control of the oil facilities to the PFG and then retreated, Dignity forces subsequently attacked the petroleum guards at Ras-Lanuf.

Idris Bukhamada, the commander of the PFG appointed by the GNA, has requested the establishment of a no-fly zone over the oil crescent to safeguard the terminals. He urged the Presidential Council to seek international assistance to prevent aerial operations in the area, stating that “international protection is necessary.” Bukhamada also reported that seven members of the Petroleum Guards were killed on Monday and that a professional workshop in Ras-Lanuf was destroyed.

In response to the escalating conflict, the National Council for Reconciliation has proposed an initiative calling on all parties to cease hostilities, avoid further bloodshed, and engage in peace talks to achieve stability. The initiative urges all factions to halt military actions in the Oil Crescent Region and to prioritize dialogue and reconciliation.

In a related development, sources within the GNA Defense Ministry noted a trilateral meeting involving Idris Bukhamada, GNA Defense Minister El-Mahdi El-Barghathi, and PC head Fayez Al-Sarraj.

On the international front, ambassadors from France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States have jointly called for an immediate cessation of military operations and urged against any further escalation. They expressed concern over the violence in the Oil Crescent Region and emphasized that “the oil infrastructure, exports, and revenues belong to all Libyans and should remain under the oversight of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions 2259 and 2278.”

In conclusion, international diplomats emphasized the need to adhere to UN Security Council resolutions and maintain stability in the region. They called on all parties to immediately halt military operations and engage in negotiations to achieve lasting peace. Additionally, they expressed support for efforts to secure oil infrastructure and ensure it remains under the oversight of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), which is crucial for ensuring stability and development in Libya as a whole.