The coup and protests aimed at overthrowing the authoritarian monarchy of King Hassan and his Alaouite dynasty in Morocco and forming a democratic republic that represented the Moroccan people instead.

[1] On August 16, four Northrop F-5 jets, acting on Oufkir's orders, intercepted King Hassan's Boeing 727 as it returned from France.

250 rebels based in the Ahermoumou cadet training school attacked the King's palace on his 42nd birthday, killing 91 people and injuring 133.

[8] Oufkir was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds later on 16 August, ostensibly from suicide when he learned the King knew of the betrayal.

[12] General Mohamed Amekrane fled to Gibraltar after the coup's failure; he failed to receive asylum and was extradited back to Morocco where he was executed by firing squad.