Youth-led protests in Morocco have escalated into violent clashes, leaving two demonstrators dead after police opened fire in the coastal city of Agadir’s Laklia district on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, a group of young protesters stormed a local police station in an attempt to seize weapons. Security forces responded with live ammunition and tear gas, killing two people on the spot and injuring several others. While many protesters carried sharp weapons, they were unable to use them effectively against the police. However, they managed to set fire to police vehicles and parts of the station.
The protests, which began on September 28 in the capital Rabat, were initially peaceful. Demonstrators demanded action to address unemployment, curb corruption, and improve education and healthcare services. The movement is being organized by a newly formed group called Gen Z 212, which mobilized young people through TikTok, Instagram, and gaming platforms.
In Agadir’s Biougra region, protesters vandalized and looted a bank along with several shops. Witness Abdeslam Chegri recounted that he saw a group of youths attack stores while he was watching a football match.
Tourist hub Marrakesh also witnessed unrest, with protesters setting a police station ablaze and damaging multiple shops and buildings. Some demonstrators even called for the Prime Minister’s resignation.
Official data shows Morocco’s unemployment rate stands at 12.8%. Among young people, the figure rises sharply to 35.8%, while nearly 19% of university graduates remain jobless.
What started as peaceful demonstrations has now spread across multiple cities, though Casablanca, Oujda, and Taza remain relatively calm.
Membership in Gen Z 212 has surged dramatically within days. From around 3,000 supporters at the start, the movement now claims over 130,000 active members.