In a recent development, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is under renewed scrutiny following reports that suggest her family has connections to Somalia's previous military regime. These reports include photographic evidence and historical documents that imply a more complex background than the refugee story she has publicly shared.
The controversy centers on Major General Mohammed Said Hersi Morgan, infamously dubbed the Butcher of Hargeisa, who is accused of orchestrating mass civilian killings during the late 1980s. Despite these serious allegations, Morgan has not faced prosecution. Human rights groups have pointed to his role in an aerial bombing campaign that caused significant destruction in Somaliland and resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands.
The inquiry extends to Omar's late father, Nur Omar Mohamed, who was a colonel in the Somali National Army under the dictatorship of Mohammed Siad Barre. While Omar has characterized her family as victims of Somalia's political collapse, voices from Somaliland argue that her father was part of the regime responsible for widespread oppression and mass killings.
Further complicating the matter are social media posts and archive footage potentially linking Omar's father to discussions of annihilating civilian populations. Moreover, a 2022 event in Somalia featured Gen Morgan seated close to Omar, and additional posts depict Omar's relatives with Morgan, referring to him as a family friend. These connections have sparked questions about Omar's stance on human rights violations globally, given her reluctance to address her family's alleged ties to the Somali military elite.
Omar's office has not responded to inquiries regarding these allegations, previously labeling such investigations as defamatory and politically charged. Despite the mounting evidence, Omar maintains that any accusations about her family history are unfounded and politically biased.
Arriving in the U.S. as a teenager in the mid-1990s, Omar has frequently highlighted the opportunities provided to her family by America. While she denies any misconduct, the emerging records and associations challenge the narrative she has promoted.
