Tragic Violence Erupts in Morocco Amid Protests for Public Services

Fri Oct 17 2025 01:25:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The protests, which began over unmet public service needs, have turned deadly as police opened fire, claiming self-defense against demonstrators in Lqliaa.

Moroccan protests have escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of at least two individuals after police shot at demonstrators trying to storm a police station. The protests, led by the youth-driven GenZ 212 movement, stem from frustrations over the government's prioritization of stadium construction for the 2030 FIFA World Cup over vital public services. Over 409 people have been detained, amid widespread unrest across several cities, including Rabat and Casablanca.

At least two people have been killed in Morocco after police opened fire to prevent protesters from storming a police station in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir, state media says.

These are the first deaths reported since huge youth-led protests broke out across Morocco on Saturday as anger grew over the government's decision to build football stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup rather than improving public services and tackling the economic crisis.

Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals? is a popular chant among the Gen Z protesters.

One protester shared his frustrations, stating that going to the hospital in his city, Oujda, felt like entering a jail.

Amid the unrest, a protester described the conditions at his local hospital as unsanitary, alleging that security personnel demanded bribes just to see a doctor.

The protests have been taking place at night with police asserting they acted in self-defense when they fired upon demonstrators. Earlier, the interior ministry affirmed the right to lawful protest.

These protests are linked to a youth-led movement known as GenZ 212, which promotes its agenda primarily through social media without a formal leadership structure.

With youth unemployment hitting 35.8%, protests have spread beyond Lqliaa to major cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier. In Marrakech, a police station was also reportedly set ablaze during the protests.

Interior ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi confirmed that 409 individuals had been arrested and detailed injuries among over 260 police officers and 20 protesters, with numerous vehicles set ablaze during the demonstrations.

This violent uprising mirrors other recent youth-led movements globally, including protests in Nepal and Madagascar.

The governing coalition in Morocco has expressed a willingness to engage in dialogue to address these pressing issues, acknowledging the situation's urgency.