Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Putin on new sanctions against Russia: Russia's energy sector remains confident, though some losses are expected
Putin calls talk of supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv an attempt at escalation
Putin says he discussed with Trump the impact of the situation with Russian oil supplies on global prices, including in the United States
Dialogue is always better than confrontation, disputes, or continued war: Putin
The global energy balance has been established, and disrupting it is not in the interests of the countries attempting to do so: Putin
Russia's contribution to the global energy balance is very significant: Putin
No self-respecting country does anything under pressure: Putin
New US sanctions are an attempt to pressure Russia: Putin
Israeli media: The West Bank 'annexation' law has been suspended under Netanyahu's directives until further notice
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Bekaa, eastern Lebanon: Number of martyrs in Israeli strike rises to two.

Morocco protests escalate into violent clashes with police

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Oct 2025 17:17
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Protests in Morocco over education and healthcare reforms erupt into violent clashes, with arrests, injuries, and growing calls for government action.

Listen
  • x
  • People are detained while taking part in a youth-led protest calling for education and health reforms, in Casablanca, Morocco, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025 (AP)
    People are detained while taking part in a youth-led protest calling for education and health reforms, in Casablanca, Morocco, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025 (AP)

Protests demanding better education and healthcare in Morocco escalated into violent clashes with security forces on Tuesday evening, marking the fourth consecutive day of demonstrations.

In the southern towns of Tiznit, Inezgane, and Ait Amira, as well as in Oujda in the east and Temara near Rabat, hundreds of young demonstrators hurled stones at security forces attempting to disperse crowds, according to local media and eyewitnesses cited by Reuters.

In Ait Amira, located 560 kilometers south of Rabat, protesters overturned and damaged police vehicles and set a bank on fire, local outlets reported. In Inezgane, videos circulated on social media showed masked demonstrators igniting another bank, while others clashed with police using water cannons. Several cars were burned, and one group attempted to storm a major supermarket.

Violence and injuries

South of Tiznit, dozens of protesters threw stones at police forces while chanting slogans, including “the people want to end corruption.” In Oujda, a demonstrator was seriously injured after being struck by a police vehicle, the state-run Maghreb Arab Press agency reported.

In the capital Rabat, police arrested dozens of youths who tried to rally in a crowded neighborhood, according to eyewitnesses.

Related News

Madagascar warns of coup after military unit joins anti-gov protests

School collapse in Indonesia leaves one dead, dozens trapped, injured

The Moroccan Association for Human Rights said 37 young protesters were released on bail pending investigation. Its Rabat branch president, Hakim Sikouk, condemned the arrests, calling them “unconstitutional.” Meanwhile, prosecutors in Casablanca announced that 24 demonstrators who blocked a highway on Sunday are facing judicial investigation.

The ruling coalition issued a statement on Tuesday expressing readiness to engage in dialogue with youth “within institutions and public spaces to find realistic solutions.” The government also praised what it described as the “measured response of security forces in line with legal procedures.”

Security forces block protests

A heavy security presence stopped Morocco's youth-led protests on Monday evening, as demonstrators took to the streets for the third consecutive day to demand improvements in the country’s health and education sectors.

Authorities moved quickly in cities including Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Tangier, and Oujda, where a youth collective called Gen Z 212 had mobilized protests online through TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms.

Reuters reported that dozens of young people were arrested in different cities, though Moroccan authorities have not yet commented officially. In Rabat, plainclothes security officers detained protesters attempting to chant or speak to journalists.

Despite the crackdown, a group briefly chanted “Freedom, dignity, social justice” in central Rabat, a slogan that recalls the 2011 Morocco protests, which pushed for constitutional reforms.

Escalating demonstrations

On Sunday night, demonstrators in Casablanca blocked a main highway, while videos shared on social media showed security forces dispersing students near a university campus in Agadir.                                                                     

The youth-led protests began in Agadir after anger over poor hospital conditions and soon spread nationwide, with demands highlighting shortages of healthcare staff, resources, and broader dissatisfaction with the education system.

The unrest comes amid persistent economic challenges. Morocco’s unemployment rate stands at 12.8% overall, soaring to 35.8% among youth and 19% among university graduates, according to the National Statistics Agency.

  • Morocco
  • Rabat
  • Morocco protests
  • Corruption

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
US-backed GHF in talks over future role in postwar Gaza: FT
Politics

US-backed GHF in talks over future role in postwar Gaza: FT

Rubio warns West Bank annexation threatens Trump’s Gaza peace plan
Politics

Rubio warns West Bank annexation threatens Trump’s Gaza plan

Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa trade barbs in fiery New York mayoral debate.
Politics

Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa trade barbs in fiery New York mayoral debate

Artist’s rendering of the RADICALS satellite in orbit. (AP)
Technology

Europe firms agree on satellite merger to counter Starlink

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS