BTN News: In a move that has sent ripples through the global oil market, Khalifa Haftar, a key figure in Libya’s complex political landscape, has ordered the shutdown of Sharara, the country’s largest oil field. This decision is a direct response to the detention of his son, Saddam Haftar, in Europe. Saddam was apprehended on August 2 at Capodichino Airport in Naples while attempting to return to Libya on a private jet. The arrest, prompted by the Spanish Civil Guard, is linked to suspicions of money laundering, though formal charges have yet to be filed.
The shutdown of the Sharara oil field has significant implications, not just for Libya, but for international stakeholders involved in its operations. Sharara, operated by Akakus in collaboration with the Libyan National Oil Corporation, Repsol, TotalEnergies, OMV, and Equinor, is a crucial asset, particularly for Repsol, as it is the company’s largest field in Libya. Before Haftar’s order, Sharara was producing around 260,000 barrels of oil per day. However, production has now plummeted to a mere 30,000 barrels daily—only 11.5% of its usual output. This dramatic reduction is a stark contrast to the 1.8 million barrels per day that Libya was producing back in 2011, under Muammar Gaddafi’s rule.
Khalifa Haftar’s move is not just an economic pressure tactic but also a calculated political maneuver within the broader context of Libya’s ongoing power struggle. The country remains divided, with two rival governments vying for control. On one side is the internationally recognized government led by Abdelhamid Dabeiba, based in Tripoli, and on the other, the Benghazi-based administration under Osama Hamad, which operates under Haftar’s influence. This shutdown is not Haftar’s first act of defiance against Spanish interests; earlier this year, in January, he ordered a similar disruption after the Spanish National Police seized a military shipment destined for the United Arab Emirates and, indirectly, for Saddam Haftar’s forces.
Saddam Haftar, who at just 33 years old was recently appointed Chief of Staff of Libya’s ground forces, is seen by many as his father’s likely successor. His detainment in Europe adds another layer of tension to Libya’s already volatile situation, especially given his rising profile within the Libyan military.
As the global community watches, Haftar’s actions are likely to escalate the already fraught political situation in Libya. The closure of Sharara could have far-reaching consequences, potentially destabilizing oil markets and deepening the economic crisis in Libya. This development underscores the fragile balance of power in the region, where personal and political rivalries can have profound impacts on global resources and international relations.
The international community, particularly stakeholders with vested interests in Libya’s oil sector, will need to navigate this situation carefully. The ongoing detention of Saddam Haftar and his father’s response could push the country closer to further conflict, threatening not just Libya’s oil production but also the broader stability of the region. In the midst of these tensions, the world remains on edge, waiting to see how this geopolitical standoff will unfold and what the long-term repercussions might be.
