Protesters in Morocco clashed with security forces on March 14 in the impoverished mining town of Jerada, Reuters reported. Nine people were detained after protesters set fire to five police cars, injuring an unspecified number of policemen. On March 13, protestors staged a sit-in against the interior ministry's statement threatened to use force if protests continued. Jerada residents said that the town has been neglected since mines were closed around 20 years ago. Morocco faces unemployment rates that are close to 30 percent.