Ankara: Libya's National Oil Corporation announced Tuesday that production and operations at three oil sites were suspended after members of the Petroleum Facilities Guards closed the valve on the Al-Hamada-Zawiya shipping pipeline in western Libya. The Petroleum Facilities Guard is a state-affiliated security force tasked with protecting Libya's critical energy infrastructure.

According to Anadolu Agency, the closure caused a sudden increase in pressure along the production lines, resulting in the suspension of operations at the three sites. In a statement, Libya's National Oil Corporation warned that it could be forced to declare 'force majeure' if the valve remains closed or if other fields face similar shutdowns.

The corporation further warned that prolonged field closures would hurt the national economy and threaten the state's ability to meet its financial obligations.