Two people were killed as Morocco protests 2025 turned deadly when police opened fire on attackers at a station in Lqliaa. Hundreds arrested amid youth-led unrest.
Two people were killed on Wednesday when Moroccan police opened fire on a group attempting to storm a police station in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir, according to state media. The incident comes as protests — some of them violent — continue to convulse the North African nation.
The government-owned MAP news agency reported that officers were “forced to use their service weapons, in legitimate self-defence” after the group allegedly tried to seize ammunition, equipment, and service weapons. Officials said the attackers returned with bladed weapons after being repelled once, prompting the fatal gunfire. A judicial investigation has been opened.
Protests Sweep Moroccan Cities
The unrest, driven by the GenZ 212 movement, has spread across Morocco since Saturday. The group, organized via the Discord platform, has no publicly known leadership but has galvanized thousands of young people demanding reforms in healthcare and education.
On Wednesday, rallies were held in Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, and Sale, with demonstrators chanting for “freedom, dignity, and social justice” and calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch.
For the first time since the protests began, authorities granted official authorization for the demonstrations. However, violence still erupted in some areas. An AFP journalist in Sale reported hooded individuals setting fire to police cars and a bank branch. Local media also documented vandalism in Sidi Bibi and other towns not designated as protest sites.

Rising Toll of Violence
The Interior Ministry confirmed that more than 400 people have been arrested and nearly 300 injured since the protests began. Ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi said clashes have involved knives, Molotov cocktails, and stones.
- 263 police officers have been wounded.
- 23 protesters were injured, including one hospitalized in Oujda.
- Over 140 police vehicles and 20 private cars were set ablaze.
- Protesters also stormed government offices, bank branches, and shops, particularly in Inzegane and Oujda.
AFP footage showed hours-long confrontations in Inzegane, with security forces deploying water cannons to disperse crowds.
Legal Proceedings Underway
In Rabat, prosecutors announced that 97 people, including three in detention, will face trial for their alleged roles in the unrest. Another 26 were released without charges. On Tuesday, prosecutors had already confirmed that 37 people would face trial.

Lawyer Souad Brahma said the charges vary but are linked to acts of violence, vandalism, and unauthorized assembly.
GenZ 212’s Role and Message
The GenZ 212 collective has expressed “regret” over the violence but insists its mission is to provide a “discussion space” for issues affecting all citizens, including corruption, healthcare, and education.
The group’s rapid rise reflects deep frustrations among Moroccan youth, who face high unemployment, limited opportunities, and stark inequalities between regions and between the public and private sectors.
Social inequality remains a pressing issue in Morocco. While the country has seen economic growth, many citizens complain of inadequate public services, particularly in health and education. The protests highlight growing discontent with governance and corruption, echoing past waves of unrest in the region.
The deaths in Lqliaa mark a dangerous escalation in Morocco’s ongoing protests. With hundreds arrested, dozens injured, and trials already underway, the government faces mounting pressure to address the grievances fueling the unrest. Whether the GenZ 212 movement can sustain momentum — and whether authorities will respond with reform or repression — remains to be seen.