BENGHAZI, Libya: Eastern Libyan forces said they had re-established control over two oil ports where an ousted faction launched a counterattack Sunday, briefly seizing one of the terminals. The two ports, Es Sidra and Ras Lanouf, were among four seized by forces loyal to eastern commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army on Sept. 11-12 from a Petroleum Facilities Guard faction led by Ibrahim Jathran.

The fighting came as the state-run National Oil Corporation prepared to restart oil exports from the ports, blockaded for several years.

The NOC said the Maltese-flagged Seadelta that had been loading from storage at Ras Lanouf – the first tanker to dock there for some two years – had withdrawn to a safe distance.

LNA spokesman Ahmad al-Mosmary said pro-Haftar forces had repelled an attack at Ras Lanouf with the help of airstrikes, and were pursuing Jathran’s forces fleeing from Es Sidra, where they had taken control earlier in the day.

A Libyan oil industry source confirmed that the LNA controlled both oil ports.

The clashes raise fears of a new conflict over Libya’s oil resources. Jathran’s PFG had aligned itself with a U.N.-backed government in Tripoli, while Haftar is a divisive figure who opponents accuse of trying to establish military rule.

Mosmary and a pro-Haftar guard spokesman said LNA fighters had seen Jathran in clashes Sunday and he had been injured in the shoulder. Jathran’s spokesman could not immediately be reached to verify the reports.

LNA forces later advanced about 30 km west of Es Sidra to take control of the town of Bin Jawwad, said Akram Buhaliqa, a second LNA official. At least four LNA fighters were killed, he said.

The LNA’s seizure of the ports a week ago took place as the Muslim holiday of Eid was starting and faced little resistance. After moving into Es Sidra, Ras Lanouf, Zueitina and Brega, the LNA said it was handing over control of the terminals to the NOC so that exports could resume.

Jathran had long blockaded three of the ports and a recent deal with the U.N.-backed government showed little sign of progressing.

Thursday, the NOC announced it was lifting “force majeure” contractual clauses at the blockaded ports and that exports would restart immediately at Zueitina and Ras Lanouf. It said they would start as soon as possible at Es Sidra, and would continue at Brega, which had remained open.