People look at burnt-out vehicles set on fire during a youth-led demonstration in Morocco (credit: AFP)
New protests planned in Morocco after demonstrators killed
Protests in Morocco demanding reforms to public services and an end to corruption are expected to continue for a sixth day on Thursday, following the killing of three demonstrators Wednesday night.
In his first public address since the unrest started, Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch announced: "We have unfortunately recorded the deaths of three people" during the protests, Akhannouch said, describing the events as "regrettable".
The rallies, which have spread to several cities across the North African nation, are being organized by GenZ 212, a recently formed online collective on the Discord platform whose organizers remain anonymous.
The group called on protesters to be non-violent, announcing on Thursday that further "peaceful protests will be organized today, as part of a civilized and responsible expression of our demands".
Read more: Global Sumud Flotilla accuses 'Israel' of abducting 443 of its activists
GenZ 212 said demonstrations would begin in the afternoon (1600 GMT), with gathering points to be announced later.
Hundreds of mostly young people have been arrested since the protests began.
On Wednesday night, two people were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators they said tried to "storm" a police station near Agadir.
Local authorities said that some were armed with "bladed weapons" and attempted to "seize ammunition, equipment and service weapons" from the site.
The interior ministry reported more than 400 arrests and nearly 300 injuries, mostly among security forces.
In Sidi Bibi, near Agadir, demonstrators set fire to offices of the local commune headquarters, according to media reports and videos circulating online.
"We assure the public and the authorities that our demonstrations will be entirely peaceful," GenZ 212 said, stressing it "rejects all forms of violence, vandalism or rioting" and urging participants "to respect the peaceful nature" of the movement.
For the first time since the protests began on Saturday, rallies on Wednesday in Casablanca, Tangier and Tetouan were officially authorized.
Demonstrators voiced demands for "the fall of corruption" as well as "freedom, dignity and social justice," with some calling for Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch to resign.
