CAIRO (AP) — Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have detained nine employees of the United Nations as part of a long-running crackdown on the organization, the U.N. said.

The detentions brings the number of detained U.N. workers in Houthi-held territories in Yemen to 53 since 2021, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement late Monday.

No details about the circumstances or timing of the latest detentions were given.

Dujarric said the crackdown has impeded “the UN’s ability to operate in Yemen and to deliver critical assistance” to the local population in the Arab world’s poorest country.

He called for “the immediate and unconditional release” of all U.N. staff as well as workers from other international organizations and diplomatic missions who have been detained by the rebels.

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