Two people have been killed during the fifth night of anti-government protests in Morocco, officials say. State media reported that police opened fire on demonstrators attempting to storm a police station near Agadir.
Protest organizers have called for calm, urging participants to keep demonstrations peaceful, while criticizing security forces for what they describe as “repressive” tactics.
The so-called “Gen Z protests,” driven largely by young Moroccans, are the largest in the country in years. Demonstrations are spreading to new areas, highlighting growing frustration over alleged corruption and poor public services, including hospitals and schools.
In the working-class city of Sale, near the capital Rabat, a reporter witnessed hundreds of masked youths torching cars, banks, and shops. Similar unrest was reported in southern and eastern cities, including Inzegane, Ait Amira, and Oujda. In Oujda, a police vehicle reportedly rammed into protesters, injuring one person.
Since the protests began on Saturday, the Interior Ministry says 409 people have been arrested. Among them, 263 security personnel and 23 civilians were injured, and authorities reported damage to 142 police vehicles and 20 private cars.
Amnesty International has called on Moroccan authorities to respond to the demonstrators’ “legitimate demands” for social and economic rights.
The movement, fueled by platforms such as TikTok and Discord, echoes similar youth-led protests seen globally. Chants like, “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” reflect anger over hospital deaths and alleged corruption. Morocco is preparing to host the Africa Cup of Nations this year and the 2030 World Cup, while parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2026.
Officials deny prioritizing stadiums over essential services, but the protests highlight deep regional inequalities and growing disillusionment among the country’s youth.
