Clarifying the Rumors: Ilhan Omar’s Father and Allegations of War Crimes
U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar’s father, Nur Omar Mohamed, has faced rumors of committing war crimes in Somalia, yet no evidence has emerged to support these claims. He served as a colonel during the Somali-Ethiopian War but lived a largely undocumented life in Somalia prior to immigrating to the U.S. as a refugee. Accusations remain unverified, as no information has definitively linked him to war crimes.
Rumors have circulated for several years claiming that U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar’s father, Nur Omar Mohamed, committed war crimes while serving in the Somali military before seeking refuge in the United States. Nur, who passed away in 2020 due to COVID-19, was described as a colonel in the Somali National Army and commanded a regiment during the Somali-Ethiopian War from 1977-78. However, detailed information regarding his actions during this period remains scarce.
The Somali National Army, under the oppressive regime of President Mohamed Siad Barre, was implicated in war crimes, particularly against the Issaq clan in the 1980s. Despite the absence of definitive proof of Nur’s involvement in these crimes, speculation continues to swirl, as there is also no evidence conclusively exonerating him. Snopes requested comment from Omar’s office but received no response.
Ilhan Omar made history as the first Somali American and first hijab-wearing Muslim woman to be elected to Congress. Previous investigations have found no credible allegations against her father, who legally entered the United States with asylum status. No new evidence has emerged since these findings were shared in a 2019 report by Snopes.
Some claims regarding Nur’s identity suggest his full name is Nur Said Mohamed Elmi. Despite variations in naming, the article will refer to him as Nur Omar Mohamed. When he passed away, Sahan Journal referred to him as a respected senior officer in the Somali National Army. His military career ended in 1991, following the ouster of Siad Barre’s regime by rebel groups.
The Somali-Ethiopian War, also called the Ogaden War, occurred in the late 1970s, during which the Somali military invaded Ethiopia. The conflict failed to secure any territorial advances for Somalia, leading to growing dissent against Barre’s regime. This period marked an increase in civil strife that would heavily impact the nation’s clans.
According to Omar’s memoir, she describes her father as an educator from the northern Majerteen clan. This clan supported Barre but resisted his authority shortly after the war due to his persecution against them. While the specific activities of Nur during this tumultuous period remain unclear, his family was situated in Mogadishu until their departure.
Following the Somali-Ethiopian War, systemic violence against the Issaq clan escalated. Siad Barre’s regime disenfranchised the Issaq people, enacting laws to benefit Darod refugees. In response, members of the Issaq clan formed the Somali National Movement—a direct reaction to the regime’s oppression.
In 1988, the situation intensified when Barre ordered military bombings of Issaq cities like Hargeisa, resulting in catastrophic civilian casualties. By 1991, the regime collapsed, prompting Omar’s family to flee to Kenya. Over the years, legal actions have targeted officials from Barre’s regime for human rights abuses linked to the Issaq genocide.
Despite ongoing allegations, no conclusive evidence supports claims that Nur Omar Mohamed participated in any war crimes or genocidal actions. His later involvement with Puntland security forces was noted, yet the specifics of his actions during the critical years between 1978 and 1991 remain ill-defined. The absence of verifiable documentation leaves the rumors unsubstantiated, points that were highlighted in the Sahan Journal’s obituary and Snopes’ finding.
In summary, while there have been persistent allegations regarding Nur Omar Mohamed’s potential involvement in war crimes during his military career in Somalia, no compelling evidence has surfaced to substantiate these claims. The ambiguity surrounding his activities during the critical years from 1978 to 1991 leaves his legacy uncertain. Furthermore, with no credible allegations proven against him, the rumors should be examined critically.
Original Source: www.snopes.com
