Libyan oil fires seen from space after IS attack

Fires at Libya's northern oil terminals could be seen from space after several oil storage tanks were set ablaze during deadly fighting between Libyan forces and the Islamic State group on Monday.

Nasa on Thursday released satellite images of the Libyan coast marred by plumes of black smoke emanating from the oil facilities.

The fires broke out at key terminals in al-Sidra and Ras Lanouf, located in the so-called "oil crescent" along Libya's northern coast. The clashes, in which at least 10 security guards have been killed, began on Monday when IS launched an attack to seize the oil terminals.

The fires continued to burn into Thursday after violence subsided on Wednesday evening, in the third successive day of fighting in the IS push to take control of the facilities.

Mohamed al-Manfi, an oil official in eastern Libya, said each of the oil tanks was estimated to contain 420,000 to 460,000 barrels of oil.

	Fires continue to burn [NASA]

	Smoke changes direction with the wind [NASA]