CAIRO (AP) — Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels 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. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement late Monday.

No details about the circumstances or timing of the latest detentions were provided. Houthi officials did not respond to calls and messages seeking comment.

The rebels have previously said that their crackdown on the U.N. and other international groups is linked to suspected members of an alleged espionage network.

Dujarric said the crackdown has impeded “the UN’s ability to operate in Yemen and to deliver critical assistance” to the loca

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