The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended its heartfelt solidarity to Afghanistan in the wake of a catastrophic 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck near the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif on Monday. The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 28 kilometers (17.4 miles), has claimed at least 20 lives and left approximately 320 injured, with officials cautioning that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue in the affected regions of Balkh and Samangan provinces. The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) issued a statement expressing profound condolences to the families of the victims and the Afghan people, while also wishing a swift recovery for those injured. The earthquake caused significant damage to the historic Blue Mosque, a revered site believed to be the burial place of the Prophet Mohammad’s cousin and son-in-law. Social media platforms circulated harrowing footage of emergency responders sifting through debris in search of survivors, though the authenticity of these videos remains unverified. The tragedy has underscored the urgent need for international support and disaster response efforts in Afghanistan.