Tragedy Strikes Amid Morocco's Youth Protests: Two Killed

Mon Oct 20 2025 23:54:48 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Recent protests in Morocco, sparked by youth frustrations over government spending priorities, have turned deadly as police opened fire to control escalating riots.

At least two individuals lost their lives in Morocco when police fired upon protesters attempting to breach a police station in Lqliaa. This incident marks a significant escalation in the violence accompanying widespread youth-led protests across the nation, which began as a response to the government's focus on constructing stadiums for the FIFA World Cup at the expense of essential public services. Protesters express their frustration over the deteriorating state of healthcare and growing unemployment rates among the youth.

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 reports.

These are the first fatalities reported amidst massive youth-led protests across Morocco, which erupted on Saturday in response to the government's decision to prioritize building football stadiums for the 2030 FIFA World Cup over improving public services and addressing economic challenges.

The frustrations are captured in the chant of the protesters: Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals? One participant from Oujda described the local hospital conditions as filthy, requiring bribes to access medical care. Entering a hospital here feels like going to jail,” he articulated, reflecting widespread discontent.

The protests, predominantly occurring at night, have culminated in police stating they acted in "legitimate self-defense" during the attempted storming of the police station on Wednesday night. The interior ministry had emphasized the right to protest, but with a focus on lawful conduct.

The movement, known as GenZ 212, comprised of young activists leveraging social media, claims to not have a formal leadership structure. Statistics reveal a staggering youth unemployment rate of 35.8%, with overall unemployment at 12.8%, further inciting unrest.

Demonstrations have spread to several major cities including Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier, with reports of police stations being torched and substantial property damage. The interior ministry has confirmed that over 400 arrests were made amid the violence, which has also injured numerous police officers and protesters.

This wave of protests aligns with similar youth-led movements worldwide, including significant demonstrations in Nepal and Madagascar that led to political changes in those countries.

In response to the unrest, Morocco's governing coalition has expressed interest in engaging in dialogue with the youth to address their grievances while praising the security forces' handling of the situation.