On August 1972 Moroccan coup attempt was unsuccessful attempt to assassinate King Hassan II of Morocco. The attempted coup d'état occurred in Morocco, a rebel faction within the Moroccan military attempted to shoot down an aircraft carrying the Moroccan king, Hassan II.
The attempt was orchestrated by General Mohamed Oufkir, a close advisor to King Hassan. He was assisted by Mohamed Amekrane, commander of the Moroccan air force base at Kenitra.
On August 16, four Northrop F-5 jets, acting on Oufkir's orders, intercepted Hassan's Boeing 727 as it returned from France. The planes shot holes through the fuselage, killing some passengers. One plane broke off, strafing a nearby airfield and killing many on the ground
Injured King Hassan grabbed the radio and told the rebel pilots, "Stop firing you fools! The tyrant is dead!" Fooled, the rebel pilots broke off their attack.
King Hassan's plane, which had been strafed by air force jets,killing eight and injuring 40,landed safely at Rabat's airport.
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