Two people were killed on Wednesday when police opened fire on a group attempting to storm a station in Morocco, state media reported, as protests continue to sweep the North African nation.
The attempted attack took place in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir, the government-owned MAP news agency said, citing local officials. Officers "were forced to use their service weapons, in legitimate self-defence, to repel (the) attack," which aimed to "seize ammunition, equipment and service weapons," reported AFP, citing MAP
Police initially beat back the group, but the attackers returned wielding "bladed weapons." "During this attempt, two people died from gunshot wounds, while others were injured during their participation in the attack," the officials added. A judicial investigation into the incident has been opened, MAP reported.
The violence comes amid several days of demonstrations urged on by GenZ 212, a recently formed collective based on the Discord web platform, whose organisers remain unknown. Hundreds of protesters gathered on Wednesday in cities including Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, and Sale, calling for "the fall of corruption" as well as "freedom, dignity and social justice," with some demanding Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch step down.
Clashes on Tuesday in cities including Oujda and Inzegane involved protesters using knives, Molotov cocktails, and stones. ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi said 263 police officers were wounded, along with 23 protesters, including one hospitalised in Oujda. He added that 409 people were detained during the unrest, during which more than 140 police vehicles and 20 private cars were set ablaze.
The attempted attack took place in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir, the government-owned MAP news agency said, citing local officials. Officers "were forced to use their service weapons, in legitimate self-defence, to repel (the) attack," which aimed to "seize ammunition, equipment and service weapons," reported AFP, citing MAP
Police initially beat back the group, but the attackers returned wielding "bladed weapons." "During this attempt, two people died from gunshot wounds, while others were injured during their participation in the attack," the officials added. A judicial investigation into the incident has been opened, MAP reported.
The violence comes amid several days of demonstrations urged on by GenZ 212, a recently formed collective based on the Discord web platform, whose organisers remain unknown. Hundreds of protesters gathered on Wednesday in cities including Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, and Sale, calling for "the fall of corruption" as well as "freedom, dignity and social justice," with some demanding Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch step down.
Clashes on Tuesday in cities including Oujda and Inzegane involved protesters using knives, Molotov cocktails, and stones. ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi said 263 police officers were wounded, along with 23 protesters, including one hospitalised in Oujda. He added that 409 people were detained during the unrest, during which more than 140 police vehicles and 20 private cars were set ablaze.
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