Ethiopia said Thursday it is kicking out seven United Nations officials whom it accused of “meddling” in the country’s internal affairs, as pressure grows on the Ethiopian government over its deadly blockade of the Tigray region.

The expulsions are the government’s most dramatic move yet to restrict humanitarian access to the region of six million people after nearly a year of war. The UN has become increasingly outspoken as the flow of medical supplies, food and fuel has been brought to a near-halt.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “shocked” by the announcement and expressed “full confidence” in UN staff, saying they are