Ilhan Omar's father linked to war crimes allegations

In 2020, Nur Omar Mohamed, father of U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, passed away from COVID-19. For several years, there have been online rumors suggesting that he committed war crimes while serving as a colonel in the Somali National Army during Somalia's turbulent history. He was involved in military actions during the 1977-78 Somali-Ethiopian War and commanded a regiment. Under the dictatorship of President Mohamed Siad Barre, the Somali National Army was implicated in severe human rights violations against the Issaq clan, leading to allegations of war crimes against Somali military officers, including Mohamed. In her memoir, Ilhan Omar characterizes her father as an educator, rather than focusing on his military past, which has fueled mixed perceptions of his legacy. Notable debates around her father's actions shed light on the complexities of Somali history and the experiences of families caught in the turmoil of civil conflict. Omar's family had to conceal their lineage to avoid violence from rival militias during the aftermath of Siad Barre's regime collapse in the early 1990s. The repercussions of the war efforts instigated severe crises within Somalia, leading to mass displacement and the decimation of the Issaq clan. Nur’s military career concluded in 1991, a pivotal year that marked the onset of civil war in Somalia. The ongoing discourse regarding the Somali National Army's actions during the 1980s continues to evoke strong emotions, with continued investigations and litigation against those believed to be responsible for human rights violations during this period. In later years, Nur Omar Mohamed worked to help rebuild and strengthen the security forces in Puntland, Somalia’s northeastern autonomous state. Despite the negative implications of his military tenure, his contributions to the security sector post-conflict remain significant. His death brought a renewed interest in the discussions around Somalia's history and the personal legacies of those involved in its tumultuous military and political struggles.