In 1972, a coup d'état was initiated by a faction of the Moroccan military dissatisfied with King Hassan II's rule. As the King traveled back to Rabat, his aircraft came under fire from the Royal Moroccan Air Force, a response meant to assert control by the coup plotters. The ordnance inflicted significant damage on the plane but did not result in any injuries to the King. A notable aspect of the incident was the betrayal from within the armed forces, illustrating divisions in loyalty that prompted the attack. Following the event, the King demonstrated resilience and promptly retaliated against those involved in the coup attempt, resulting in arrests and executions that consolidated his power and stifled opposition. The incident also illuminated the complex power dynamics within the Moroccan military and government, reshaping future political strategies by Hassan II, who relied heavily on a strong security apparatus to maintain his regime.

The aftermath of the attack intensified a climate of fear and repression in Morocco, as the King sought to ensure such dissent would not reoccur. The failed coup was significant not only because it highlighted the King’s vulnerability but also because it prompted a shift toward more authoritarian governance. Hassan II’s strategy included enhancing the tools of surveillance and control over the military, effectively quelling dissenting voices in both civilian and military spheres. The incident marked a pivotal moment in Moroccan politics, eternally changing the relationship between the monarchy and the military.