Protests Erupt in Morocco, Two Killed in Clashes with Gendarmerie
Leqliaâ, Morocco – October 2, 2025 – Two young men were killed wednesday evening in Leqliaâ, near Agadir, during ongoing protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, according to reports from the Moroccan agency Maghreb Arab Press. Authorities state the gendarmerie acted in “self-defence” after individuals attempted to seize weapons from a local brigade.
A representative from the Gen Z 212 collective, the group spearheading the demonstrations, disputes this account, claiming protestors targeted the gendarmerie with projectiles following prior police repression, but did not attempt to forcibly enter the premises.
The deaths occurred amidst escalating unrest that began on Saturday, September 27, with rallies spreading across multiple Moroccan cities. Demonstrators are voicing discontent with the government’s handling of education, healthcare, and economic issues.
Footage from Salé, a commune bordering Rabat, shows hooded protestors jumping on abandoned police vehicles. Reports indicate widespread property damage, including burned vehicles and ransacked businesses and administrative buildings throughout the country. Several injuries have also been reported.
