Violent Clashes Erupt in Morocco Amid Youth-Led Protests

Violent Clashes Erupt in Morocco Amid Youth-Led Protests

Violent clashes broke out in several Moroccan cities late Tuesday as youths confronted security forces, following days of protests demanding reforms in the public health and education sectors.

Videos circulated online showed masked demonstrators in Inezgane, near Agadir, throwing stones at police, setting fires near a shopping centre, and damaging a local post office. Similar incidents were reported in Ait Amira, Beni Mellal, and Oujda. It remained unclear whether there were any injuries.

The protests were organised by a youth collective known as “GenZ 212,” whose founders remain anonymous. In a statement on its Facebook page, the group expressed “regret over acts of rioting or vandalism that affected public or private property” and urged participants to remain peaceful, warning against behaviour that could “undermine the legitimacy of our just demands.”

Tuesday marked the fourth consecutive day of demonstrations, though earlier gatherings had been largely non-violent. Moroccan prosecutors have announced that 37 people will face trial for participating in the protests. Lawyer Souad Brahma said, “Thirty-four individuals will be prosecuted while free on bail, with their trial scheduled to begin on October 7, while three others will face prosecution in detention.” Exact charges have not yet been disclosed.

Over the past three days, more than 200 mostly young demonstrators were arrested in Rabat during gatherings dispersed by police, according to the Moroccan Association for Human Rights. Most were later released. In Casablanca, authorities have requested investigations into 18 individuals for allegedly obstructing traffic during a weekend protest, with six minors referred to a specialised court.

Morocco’s governing coalition, composed of centre-right and liberal parties, said in a statement that it “listens to and understands the social demands” of the young protesters and is “ready to respond positively and responsibly.”

The protests were initially called on the platform Discord, citing issues such as health, education, and the fight against corruption, while emphasising participants’ “love for the homeland.” They come amid broader public discontent over social inequalities, which have disproportionately affected young people and women. Recent reports of the deaths of eight pregnant women at a public hospital in Agadir have further intensified public outrage.