Mohamed BIDA: “13 Days, 13 Nights in the Hell of Kabul”: An Exclusive Testimony at Milipol Paris
A Career Dedicated to Security
An honorary divisional commander of the French National Police, Mohamed BIDA devoted more than thirty years of his career to internal security and international cooperation. Born in Algeria in 1962, he served in several specialised police units before joining, in 2016, the network of Home Affairs Attachés of the French Ministry of the Interior, based at the French Embassy in Kabul. His mission: to coordinate security operations, support local partners and represent France in an exceptionally unstable environment.
In August 2021, during the fall of Kabul following the Taliban’s takeover of the Afghan capital, he found himself on the front line alongside ten French police officers. Together, they ensured the protection of diplomatic personnel and organised the evacuation of 500 people trapped inside the embassy. This operation, conducted under extreme tension, helped save thousands of lives. It later became the heart of his book 13 Days, 13 Nights in the Hell of Kabul, which will be adapted into a feature film in 2025.
13 Days, 13 Nights: The Evacuation of Kabul Told Day by Day
Published in 2022 by Éditions Denoël, 13 Days, 13 Nights in the Hell of Kabul recounts, day by day, the unfolding of an extraordinary mission. On 15 August 2021, the Taliban took control of Kabul. The French Embassy then became one of the last support points to organise the emergency departures of French nationals and threatened Afghan partners. In his book, Mohamed BIDA describes his negotiations with the Taliban, the management of fear and uncertainty, the difficult decisions made in moments of urgency and above all, the solidarity and professionalism of the teams involved.
Praised for its authenticity and human depth, this powerful narrative offers a heroic account of a 13-day, 13-night mission during which French police officers, diplomats and military personnel worked tirelessly to save 2,834 lives in Afghanistan.
In 2025, the story also inspired filmmaker Martin BOURBOULON, who directed 13 Days, 13 Nights, presented out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, with Roschdy ZEM in the leading role. Through both the book and the film, Mohamed BIDA shares an insider’s perspective where professional dedication, collective courage and human values meet in the face of crisis.
An Unmissable Talk at Milipol Paris
Attending this talk means diving into a story of remarkable authenticity. Mohamed BIDA will share his experience and deliver an in-depth analysis of crisis management, interagency coordination, and the vital role of Interior Security Attachés in the most sensitive contexts.
His speech will also shed light on the human dimension of such missions: how to make decisions under pressure, protect, cooperate, and maintain a sense of duty and responsibility.
In an exhibition such as Milipol Paris, this session will be a privileged moment of exchange, both inspiring and practical. The following book signing session will extend the discussion, offering a chance for personal dialogue with the author and a signed testimony filed with meaning and experience.
Don’t miss this exceptional event on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, at the Innov Arena:
- 11:30 – 12:00: Talk by Mohamed BIDA on his book 13 Days, 13 Nights in the Hell of Kabul
- 12:00 – 12:30: Book signing session
A powerful moment, at the crossroads of testimony and analysis, for all professionals and enthusiasts of internal security. Come listen, exchange, and discover the experience of a man who lived from the inside one of the most striking international crises of recent years.