Two Killed as Violence Erupts in Moroccan Protests

Two people were killed on Wednesday when police opened fire on a group attempting to storm a police station in Morocco, state media reported, amid ongoing protests across the North African nation.

The demonstrations, which have rocked Morocco for several days, are largely driven by the GenZ 212 group, a recently formed collective operating through the Discord web platform with organisers remaining anonymous.

• The protests call for reforms in public health and education.
• The interior ministry reported over 400 arrests and nearly 300 injuries as of Wednesday.

According to the government-owned MAP news agency, a group tried to storm a police station in Lqliaa, near Agadir, later on Wednesday evening.

Officials stated:

“Police were forced to use their service weapons, in legitimate self-defence, to repel the attack aimed at seizing ammunition, equipment, and service weapons.”

• Police initially beat back the assault, but the attackers returned armed with bladed weapons.
• During the confrontation, two people died from gunshot wounds, while others were injured.
• A judicial investigation into the incident has been launched.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in several cities, including Casablanca, Tangier, and Tetouan, with the rallies taking place under official authorisation for the first time since they began on Saturday.

Protesters chanted for:

• “The fall of corruption”
• “Freedom, dignity, and social justice”
• Some even called for Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch to resign

While many protests have remained peaceful, AFP journalists reported instances of vandalism, including burnt police cars and a bank branch in Sale, as well as disturbances in Sidi Bibi and smaller towns not officially designated for protests.

On Tuesday, unauthorised protests escalated into violent clashes in cities such as Oujda and Inzegane.

Ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi reported:

• Protesters used knives, Molotov cocktails, and stones.
• 263 police officers were injured, along with 23 protesters.
• 409 people detained, with more than 140 police vehicles and 20 private cars set ablaze.
• Government offices, bank branches, and shops were stormed, looted, and vandalised.

AFP footage from Inezgane showed hours-long confrontations along a main avenue.

Prosecutors in Rabat announced that 97 people, including three in detention, would face trial, according to lawyer Souad Brahma. Another 26 people were released without charges.

An initial group of 37 individuals had already been scheduled for trial on Tuesday.

GenZ 212’s Position

• The group expressed regret over Tuesday’s violence.
• It describes itself as a discussion space focusing on:
  • Health
  • Education
  • Fighting corruption

Social inequality remains a major challenge in Morocco:

• Sharp regional disparities
• A wide gap between public and private sectors

The unrest highlights growing social frustration in Morocco, particularly among young citizens, and underscores persistent concerns about inequality and public sector reform.