Osama al-Juwaili, Commander of Libya's Western Mountain Military Region, says industrial-scale fuel smuggling via tankers has been eradicated in his area, though smaller-scale diesel smuggling persists, highlighting ongoing regulatory and enforcement challenges.
Osama al-Juwaili, Commander of the Western Mountain Military Region in Libya, has announced that large-scale fuel smuggling using tankers has been fully eliminated within his area of command. Speaking in a video widely circulated by Libyan Arabic-language media, Juwaili stated that the region's borders are now secure against such operations.
According to Juwaili, remaining smuggling activity is now limited to trucks equipped with additional or oversized diesel tanks. He acknowledged that this form of smuggling is difficult to control without specific legislation regulating the amount of diesel each truck can legally transport. Juwaili called for new laws to address this loophole, noting that enforcement alone is insufficient.
Shift in Smuggling Tactics and Enforcement Limits
Juwaili also reported that the sale of fuel at roadside or unofficial outlets outside the legal petrol station network has been stopped in the Western Mountain Military Region. However, he admitted that the phenomenon of trucks with extra diesel tanks remains a challenge, as current regulations do not clearly define permissible quantities for transport.
While the commander's claims, if accurate, would mark a significant achievement in curbing industrial-scale smuggling, questions remain about the full extent and duration of these results. The Western Mountain region, particularly its foothills, has long been a hotspot for smuggling activities. Analysts note that much of Libya's smuggled fuel originates from the Zawia refinery north of the region and is transported south, often passing through or circumventing the Western Mountains.
Unresolved Questions and Regional Implications
It is unclear whether the crackdown has reduced overall smuggling or simply displaced it to neighboring areas. The continued high volume of fuel imports into Libya suggests that large-scale smuggling persists elsewhere. The precise boundaries of Juwaili's command and the sustainability of these enforcement measures remain open to scrutiny.
Further progress may depend on legislative reforms and broader coordination across regions. For now, the Western Mountain Military Region's approach highlights both the potential and the limitations of local enforcement in addressing Libya's persistent fuel smuggling problem.
