Tensions flared in Morocco on Wednesday as two people were killed when police opened fire on a group of demonstrators attempting to storm a police station, state media reported.
The incident came amid a wave of protests sweeping across the North African nation, driven by mounting frustrations over corruption, inequality, and failing public services.
According to the state-run MAP news agency, the clash occurred in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir, when protesters tried to break into a police station to seize weapons and ammunition.
Officials said officers initially repelled the assault but were forced to use live fire in “legitimate self-defense” after attackers returned wielding bladed weapons.
Two people died of gunshot wounds, and several others were injured. A judicial investigation has been opened.
The unrest is part of a broader protest movement that has rocked Moroccan cities for several days, with rallies erupting in Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, Rabat, and smaller towns. Many demonstrations have been peaceful, but others descended into chaos, marked by arson, vandalism, and violent clashes with security forces.
Authorities say at least 409 people have been arrested since the unrest began, while more than 260 police officers and 23 protesters have been injured.
More than 140 police vehicles and 20 private cars were torched, alongside attacks on banks, shops, and government offices.
The protests are largely fueled by GenZ 212, a mysterious online collective organized via the Discord platform.
The group, whose leaders remain unknown, has called for reforms to Morocco’s healthcare and education systems, while demonstrations have echoed wider demands for “freedom, dignity, and social justice.” Some protesters have gone further, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
In the capital Rabat, prosecutors announced that nearly 200 detainees will face trial over their alleged involvement in the unrest. Lawyers confirmed that dozens of others have been released without charge.
GenZ 212 issued a statement expressing “regret” over Tuesday’s violence but insisted its mission remains peaceful and focused on pressing social issues.
Despite steady economic growth, Morocco continues to struggle with deep inequalities, particularly between urban and rural regions, and between public and private sectors.
The protests—some of the largest in years—highlight growing discontent among the country’s youth, who feel excluded from opportunity and ignored by political elites.
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