U.S.-led multilateral military exercises in the Pacific risk setting off a “tidal wave” threatening the region’s peace and security, North Korea claimed on Thursday, warning that such activities will inevitably provoke “resistance and retaliation” from other countries.

In a commentary, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) criticized Washington and its allies for conducting the large-scale Exercise Talisman Sabre near Australia and multilateral drills in the western Pacific region.