A top North Korean military official accused the U.S. and South Korea of conducting an “aggressive provocation” by going ahead with joint air force drills this week and warned of consequences if the drills turn into an invasion, according to state media.

Korean People’s Army (KPA) Marshal and Politburo Presidium member Pak Jong Chon said he “estimates” Washington chose the code name “Vigilant Storm” for the drills as an “omen” or message to Pyongyang, harking back to the U.S.’s 1991 air offensive against Iraq named “Operation Desert Storm,” the state-run Voice of Korea reported midday Tuesday (U.S. time).