Дата публикации: 12-08-2026 18:34:07

Libya's oil revival under threat
Welcome back to AL-MONITOR Business & Tech.A wave of drone attacks on Libya’s energy infrastructure is raising fresh fears over the country’s stability just as its oil sector had begun to recover. Meanwhile, with talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz at a stalemate and two recent attacks by the United States and Yemen’s Houthi rebels on ships in the region, a deal seems a long way off.Sign up for weekly updates here.Thanks for reading,Jack (@jackvdutton)Libya's energy sites targeted Libyan firefighting teams attempt to extinguish a fire at the Zawiya refinery, in Zawiya, Libya, on Aug. 11, 2026. — Mahmud Turkia / AFP via Getty ImagesA drone strike destroyed a power substation in Zawiya on Wednesday, becoming the latest in a string of attacks on critical infrastructure in western Libya, which have damaged key oil and gas facilities.The latest attack hit the South Zawiya 30/11 kV substation, which was completely destroyed by fire and taken out of service, Libya’s General Electricity Company announced on Aug. 12. The damage caused power outages across parts of southern Zawiya.The strike followed several days of attacks around Zawiya, a key energy hub west of Tripoli. The National Oil Corporation said on Aug. 11 that attacks on infrastructure at the Zawiya oil complex are continuing, specifically targeting fuel storage tanks. As of that evening, the state oil company had recorded five attacks by explosive-laden drones in recent days, the latest coming after operations at the refinery had resumed following a shutdown caused by a previous strike. A nearby water desalination plant was also targeted recently.Why it matters: The incidents are part of a larger eruption of violence in the fragmented country, which could imperil a drive by the OPEC member to revive energy production and attract foreign investment as the US-Iran war spurs interest in North Africa. They also come as Washington steps up efforts to broker a political deal between Libya’s rival eastern and western administrations.Fresh instability in Libya arrives as the country’s oil industry has been enjoying new momentum in 2026. Libya produced about 1.44 million barrels per day in June, its highest level since 2013, while output stood at 1.35 million barrels per day in July.No deal in sightThe navigation bridge of a sunken vessel is all that is seen at the surface of the water in the Port of Mokha the day after an attack by the Houthis on the city Mokha on Aug. 10, 2026. — Khaled ZIAD / AFP via Getty ImagesTraffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to its lowest numbers in a week as attacks on ships continued and US-Iran talks to reopen the critical waterway remained at an impasse.Only eight vessels transited the strait on Tuesday, below the 10-day average of about 12 and the lowest count since Aug. 5, according to data released Wednesday by shipping analytics firm Kpler. Before the Iran war started on Feb. 28, between 130 and 140 ships typically transited the Strait of Hormuz, carrying around a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.  Why it matters: Yemen’s internationally recognized government said in a statement on Tuesday that six people were killed and 10 more injured by Houthi strikes on a cargo ship in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, at the southern gateway to the Red Sea. Yemen’s Transport Ministry said that the vessel was hit by three ballistic missiles south of the port of Mocha, causing a fire on board and killing four crew members.Later, Yemen's coast guard said a second deadly missile strike targeted rescuers who tried to evacuate the ship.US Central Command said in a statement that on Tuesday, a US MH-60 helicopter fired two hellfire missiles into the engine room of the Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova vessel as it attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman to bypass an American blockade on Iranian ports. CENTCOM said it attacked after the ship’s crew "ignored repeated warnings" from US forces. It did not mention any casualties. Know more: The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is also at a stalemate. Secretary of Iran's ​Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said ​on Tuesday that the strait would stay closed unless Washington ​accepted its conditions, which include the US ending the war and unfreezing Iranian funds along with others that have been relayed through mediators, the Tasnim news agency quoted Rezaei as saying.Kuwait’s LNG imports riseThe Al-Riqqa oil tanker (L) and 'Al-Yarmouk' oil tankers sail in the Arabian Gulf waters, off the coast of Kuwait City on June 27, 2026. — YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP via Getty ImagesKuwait’s liquefied natural gas imports rose for the second consecutive month in July, reaching their highest monthly level since before the US-Israel-Iran war disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.The Gulf country imported approximately 803,000 tons of LNG in July, up from 684,000 tons in June, a 17% increase, according to the Washington-based Energy Research Unit. Why it matters: Kuwait's LNG imports in July reached their highest level since the start of the US-Israel-Iran war on Feb. 28. The increase has been driven by a sharp decline in domestic gas production, which has fallen 40% since the start of the year, according to the ERU, largely because of war-related infrastructure damage and the disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, electricity demand has surged during the peak summer cooling season, increasing the country's reliance on imported LNG. The conflict has further strained Kuwait's power sector by damaging critical infrastructure. On July 21, Iran carried out a drone strike on the Al Zour power station, and authorities have since reported damage at several power generation and water desalination facilities. Qatar, Kuwait's largest LNG supplier, has meanwhile struggled to export the supercooled fuel beyond the Gulf because of the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz.  Chart of the week Jordan and the United States signed a four-year strategic agreement on Aug. 4 that will provide the Hashemite kingdom with $355 million in assistance, offering fresh evidence of Washington’s support at a particularly vulnerable moment for Amman. The development emerged after Iranian drones and missiles rained down on Jordan throughout July.The new US assistance is modest compared with the billions of dollars Washington has provided Jordan over the years. Yet, it carries added significance given that the Trump administration sharply curtailed foreign assistance globally last year and temporarily froze aid to Jordan, a major recipient.The above chart shows US foreign aid to Jordan between 2016 and 2026. What we found interesting this weekFIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks to the media during a World Cup 2026 press conference, Mexico City Stadium, June 10, 2026. — Carl Recine/Getty ImagesFIFA President Gianni Infantino is fighting to keep his job after the explosive backlash to his controversial investment plan for world football that has shaken the sport's foundations. Amid it all, the Middle East has not stayed on the sidelines, with the region emerging as a key arena in the political battle that could redirect the sport's future. The crisis erupted soon after the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup in July, when reports revealed that Infantino was pursuing an ambitious plan to bring outside investment into FIFA through a new commercial entity, FIFA Forward Enterprise, that would oversee flagship competitions, including the World Cup and Club World Cup. Morocco has emerged as one of Infantino's strongest supporters, alongside football associations in Kuwait, Lebanon and Qatar, while Jordan Football Association President Prince Ali bin Al Hussein has become one of his most prominent critics. Morocco has also been drawn into controversy over reports that Infantino offered it the right to host the 2030 World Cup final in exchange for backing his reelection, an allegation FIFA denies.  Also on our radarA general view shows an oil facility in the northern oil-rich Libyan town of al-Buraqah on Jan. 12, 2017. — ABDULLAH DOMA/AFP via Getty Images🛢️Egypt and Libya have begun studying a $1 billion oil pipeline that would connect the two North African countries and transport Libyan crude to Egypt for refining. 🏝️Egypt is reportedly preparing to award development rights for roughly 642 acres at Jefaira to an unnamed Emirati investor under a $2.7 billion tourism project, Asharq Business reported on Aug. 9. Top deals💡 Venture capitalDubai-based mobility fintech Moove raises $250 millionSaudi AloT startup Rime bags $2 millionSaudi Arabia, Ceer National Automotive Company sign two agreementsMemphis Fund targets $100 million from Egyptians abroadIsraeli cyber startup Attestable raises $20 million SeedIsraeli cyber startup Corma raises $60 millionIsraeli AI firm IAEIG raises $6 million in pre-seed⛓️‍💥M&ASaudi firm ACWA Field Services acquires EthosEnergy steam turbine business in PolandSaudi PIF-led consortium completes acquisition of gaming firm Electronic Arts 🌍ExpansionsBeauty giant Sephora to open Israel stores💰 Investment & financeSaudi EXIM boosts credit facilities by 17% to $7.3 billion in H1Kuwait Investment Authority secures $4.25 billion loan Qatar National Bank raises $2 billion in Asian loansSaudi’s SAB Invest launches equity fund🤝Projects & partnershipsSaudi Energy Ministry, Syrian Electricity Co ink solar dealsUAE aircraft lessor DAE signs sale-leaseback deal with Saudia for four 777FsSyrian Telecom, CYTA, UNIFI Communications ink submarine cable dealEgypt launches international bid round for oil, gas exploration across 14 areasJordan signs agreements for $120 million baptism site™️MiscSaudi food giant Savola posts 36% rise in H1 profitSaudi industrial output rebounds 4.3% in June on mining, utilities gainsSaudi-listed driller ADES resumes work on Saudi offshore rigsEgypt exempts capital gains on listed securities from income taxUAE’s ADNOC L&S sees Q2 profit quadruple off Iran warDubai’s Emaar Properties Q2 profits rise 9%UAE, Saudi Arabia lead MENA outbound investment in H1
smzali@al-moni…
Wed, 08/12/2026 - 14:34



Jack Dutton


Libyan firefighting teams attempt to extinguish a fire at the Zawiya refinery, in Zawiya, Libya, on Aug. 11, 2026.

Mahmud Turkia / AFP via Getty Images


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