ROME- Four Italian construction workers have been kidnapped in Libya whilst returning from Tunisia, diplomatic sources said Monday. The four were abducted Sunday evening near the Italian-owned Eni compound in the western Mellitah area, where they were working for the Parma-based Bonatti construction firm.  The abductions happened after the Italian Embassy in Libya closed its doors on Feb. 15, the Italian Foreign Ministry urging Italian nationals to leave the country as fighting between Libya’s two rival governments and other militias including ISIS plunged the nation into violence.

 The Crisis Unit of the Italian Foreign Ministry has been continuously monitoring the case and is in contact with the Bonatti firm and the families of the kidnapped. According to reporters, one of the managers of the firm has said that he could not detail the circumstances of the kidnapping, nor whether a ransom has been proposed by the abductors.

 There is much speculation concerning the identity of the kidnappers, though no confirmed group has been identified yet. Local authorities believe that the kidnapped Italians have been taken to Zuaia, a city under the control of Islamic militants who support the capital’s government. Meanwhile, according to broadcaster al Jazeera, the Italians have been taken by groups from the tribal militia known as “Jeish al Qabail” who reside in hostile areas opposing Tripoli’s “Alba della Libia” militia. The kidnapping took place in an area that until recently was the scene of conflict between the two warring militias, which had only recently calmed following a treaty signed by the two sides. It is said that the Italians have been taken southwards.

 Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni has said the Ministry is working with intelligence to locate the kidnapped Italians, and awaits more information regarding the area. According to both Italian secret services and Libyans, Mellitah has been indicated as an area at high risk from ISIS, as the Islamic militant group released a propaganda video in which the ISIS flag was raised on the Eni gas pipe.