TRIPOLI, Libya, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Libya's air force struck a Greek-operated vessel chartered to carry oil to Libyan power stations, killing two crew members.
The crude oil tanker ARAEVO was struck while anchored at the port city of Derna. Two people on board were killed, Greek insurers confirmed to the Libya Herald.
Col. Ahmed Mesmari, a spokesman for the Libyan military, told the BBC the tanker was targeted because it did not submit to an inspection before entering the port and entered a military zone.
"We bombed it twice," he said.
Libyan forces have been battling militants with the Libya Dawn and, at times, those loyal to the group calling itself the Islamic State.
No oil was spilled as a result of the rocket strike. The remaining 22 crew members are said it be in good condition.
Fighting in late December left oil storage tanks at the Libyan port city of Es Sider in flames. The blaze was sparked by a missile fired by the Libya Dawn from sea.
The U.N. Support Mission in Libya said it was concerned the cycle of violence in the country could spiral out of control.
German energy company Wintershall said recently that it suspended operations in Libya for the foreseeable future because of "intense" fighting.
A NATO-led mission in 2011 put military force against those fighting in support of late dictator Moammar Gadhafi. NATO said that, while Libyan violence was a concern, there were no plans for additional military intervention.
