The King of Saudi Arabia called Yemen’s Houthis “terrorist paramilitaries” and accused the group of repeatedly targeting the city of Mecca.

According to Saudi Arabia’s official news agency, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on Tuesday, at a meeting of the Council of Ministers, called the targeting of Mecca “a despicable crime” and “an incitement to stir the feelings of Muslims around the world.”

The 90-year-old monarch’s remarks on current affairs are rare, as the country’s day-to-day affairs are handled by the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia said last week that it had shot down a drone that the Houthis had fired toward Mecca. Abdulmalik al-Houthi, the leader of the group, called the allegation “a hateful lie.” The Houthi rebels are supported with weapons and financial backing by the Islamic Republic.