Morocco Protests Escalate with Hundreds Injured and Arrested
Mass protests erupted across Morocco this week, driven by public anger over worsening economic conditions, high living costs, and political discontent.
Demonstrators took to the streets in several cities, clashing with heavily deployed security forces in some of the most serious unrest in recent years.
According to Reuters and Arab News, demonstrators — many from the “Gen Z 212” movement — took to the streets of Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, and other towns, denouncing government spending priorities. They argue that billions allocated to infrastructure projects for the 2030 World Cup have come at the expense of essential services such as healthcare, education, and regional development. The demonstrations reflected deep frustration among citizens, particularly the youth, over unemployment, inflation, and the government’s perceived failure to address poverty and inequality. Protesters accused authorities of ignoring their grievances, while security forces labeled the events as riots and condemned attacks on public property.
Citing official figures reported by Dawn, the unrest left over 300 people injured, including 263 policemen and 23 protesters, while 409 individuals were detained. Authorities also confirmed that more than 140 police vehicles and 20 private cars were set ablaze during the violence.
The protests highlight a growing crisis of confidence in Morocco’s leadership, with citizens calling for greater accountability and structural reforms. Rights groups have warned against excessive use of force, urging authorities to protect the right to peaceful assembly and ensure due process for those detained.
Observers note that Morocco has faced sporadic waves of unrest in recent years, including protests in the Rif region and other marginalized areas, but the scale of the current demonstrations points to rising discontent nationwide. Analysts caution that without meaningful reforms, the latest protests could further deepen social and political instability in the kingdom.
