News|ProtestsMorocco arrests hundreds of protesters as rallies turn violent

Moroccan authorities have detained over 400 individuals during recent protests advocating for reforms in the public health and education sectors, according to the Ministry of Interior.

The protests, ongoing for five consecutive nights as of Wednesday, have escalated in violence. On the fourth night, reports indicate that 263 security personnel and 23 civilians sustained injuries as demonstrators set fire to vehicles and looted shops.

The protests were organized online by an anonymous group known as GenZ 212, utilizing various platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and Discord. On Tuesday night, participants were reported to have used knives, Molotov cocktails, and stones, resulting in the arrest of 409 individuals, as stated by an Interior Ministry spokesperson.

Significant property damage occurred, including vandalism and looting of administrative buildings, banks, and shops in the Souss region cities of Ait Amira, Inezgane, Agadir, and Tiznit, as well as the eastern city of Oujda. The Ministry's statement also noted that 142 security vehicles and 20 private cars were set ablaze.

Verified footage on social media showed damaged ATM machines and a looted bank building.

The GenZ 212 group has publicly stated its commitment to peaceful protests and emphasized that its opposition is directed towards government policies rather than security forces.

The Interior Ministry has affirmed its commitment to upholding the right to protest within legal boundaries, maintaining that responses will be characterized by restraint and self-control.

These recent demonstrations are noted as the most violent since protests in 2016 and 2017 in the Rif region.

Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.