Cereals, dates, and esparto grass (used to make cordage, shoes, and paper) are local products.

During the 2011 Libyan Civil War, the city was reported by Al Jazeera to be under control of the local anti-Gaddafi forces on 23 February 2011, and lost by the government of Muammar Gaddafi.

[4] Thousands of anti-government protesters, gathered in the Zuwara town square on 24 February, repulsed another Libyan Army attempt to retake the city.

Loyalist forces used the pro-government towns of Jumayl and Riqdalin to the south as bases for their attacks on the city.

[7] In September[citation needed] 2011, and following the fall of the Gaddafi government, Zuwara was the first City in Libya to democratically elect its local council.