The Taliban marked the third anniversary of their return to power on Wednesday at a former U.S. air base in Afghanistan, but made no mention of the country’s hardships or promises to assist the struggling population.

Under clear skies and scorching sunshine at Bagram base, once the epicenter of America’s war to oust the Taliban and pursue the al-Qaida perpetrators of the September 11 attacks, members of the Taliban Cabinet highlighted achievements such as reinforcing Islamic law and establishing a military system that delivers “peace and security.”

The speeches were directed at an international audience, urging the diaspora to return and the West to engage and collaborate with the country’s leaders. No nation recognizes the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

“The Islamic Emirate eradicated internal conflicts and expanded the scope of unity and cooperation within the country,” Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir stated, employing the Taliban’s term for their government. “No one will be permitted to interfere in internal affairs, and Afghan soil will not be used against any nation.”

None of the four speakers addressed the challenges confronting Afghans in their daily lives.

Women were excluded from the event, including female journalists from The Associated Press, Agence French-Presse, and Reuters. The Taliban did not offer an explanation for barring them.

Decades of conflict and instability have left millions of Afghans on the verge of hunger and starvation. Unemployment rates are high.

The Bagram parade was the Taliban’s most grand and defiant display since regaining control of the country in August 2021.

The audience of approximately 10,000 men included senior Taliban officials such as Acting Defense Minister Mullah Yaqoob and Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani. Supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada was absent from the parade.

The Taliban indicated that foreign diplomats were also present but did not disclose their identities.

Aid organizations warn that humanitarian efforts in the country are severely underfunded as economic collapse and climate change devastate livelihoods.

They assert that Afghans, particularly women and girls, will suffer if there isn’t increased diplomatic engagement with the Taliban.

The Bagram parade served as an opportunity to showcase some of the military equipment abandoned by the U.S. and NATO after decades of war, including helicopters, Humvees, and tanks.

Uniformed soldiers marched with light and heavy machine guns, and a motorcycle formation carried the Taliban flag.

Pickup trucks packed with men of all ages drove through Kabul’s streets in celebration of the takeover. Some men posed for photographs with rifles.

In a parade in southern Helmand province, men displayed yellow canisters symbolizing the type of explosives used in roadside bombings during the war.

The Taliban declared Wednesday a national holiday. As in previous years, women did not participate in anniversary festivities.