Tripoli, Feb 4 (IANS): An armed group suspected to be affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terror group attacked Libya's al-Mabrook oilfield Wednesday, security sources said.

The group, in around 20 armed vehicles, stormed the oilfield and kidnapped a number of guards, a security official told Xinhua news agency on condition of anonymity.

The official said the gunmen are suspected to be affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

Libya's state-run National Oil Corporation (NOC) confirmed the armed attack, saying it would deal with it "promptly with a preset security plan".

The oilfield is located in Libya's central province of Jufrah, some 650 km southeast of Tripoli. It is run by NOC and France's Total.

Since the 2011 downfall of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, Libya, a major oil-producer of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), has been plagued with armed clashes, kidnappings and assassinations.