Five people have been killed and 16 others injured in clashes near Sharara oilfield this morning, reported Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

Likewise, local sources reported Thursday that forces loyal to the newly-appointed commander of Sabha military zone Ali Kanna clashed with forces loyal to the self-styled army led by Khalifa Haftar near Sharara oilfield.

Kanna was appointed by the Presidential Council on Tuesday as the commander of Sabha military zone and tasked to protect the southern region against any violence.

Meanwhile, sources from Ubari said two armed groups had clashed in the vicinity of the oilfield - Sharara - saying the field and the city are under the control of Sabha's military zone and its commander; Kanna.

They added that forces loyal to Haftar withdrew from a camp near the oilfield toward Sabha after speaking with elders from Ubari.

On Wednesday, Haftar's forces said they had seized control of Sharara oilfield, but counter-terrorism force of Ubari denied it and said the oilfield was still controlled by the forces, which later pledged loyalty to the newly-appointed Sabha military zone command.