The shutdown of Libya's major oil fields and production facilities has caused losses of more than $255 million in the six-day period ending January 23, the state oil company said on Saturday.

The closures were prompted by the seizure of several large export terminals and oil fields by forces loyal to General Khalifa Haftar. The rebel commander controls the eastern and much of the southern parts of the North African country.

Libya's National Oil Corporation said its assessment showed that "the illegal shut down of its facilities has resulted in losses of nearly 256.5 million USD until January 23.”

It put the average daily losses at $42.8 million.

Libya has been dogged by war since December 2011, and the situation heightened in early 2019 when Gen. Hafter pledged to take over Tripoli from the GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj.

Hafter announced in early December a final push to take Tripoli from al-Sarraj's government, unleashing heavy clashes on the southern edges of the city.

Since 2011, the Libyan war has killed thousands and displaced millions as militant groups and human trafficking cells sought to impose their command in various regions across the country.

Turkey has deployed troops into Libya to support al-Sarraj fight back Hafter's troops.

On Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that despite a ceasefire deal in place, Turkey has no plans of withdrawing its troops from the North African country, and will continue offering support to GNA forces.

(Source: TRT)