This article examines unverified claims alleging that Nur Omar Mohamed, the father of U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, committed war crimes during his service in the Somali military. While he held a rank in the Somali National Army and participated in the Somali-Ethiopian War, there is no evidence to confirm participation in war crimes or genocidal acts, nor any substantial information detailing his actions from 1978 to 1991. Claims against him should, therefore, be treated cautiously, given the lack of credible evidence.
In the wake of persistent online rumors alleging U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar’s father, Nur Omar Mohamed, committed war crimes while serving in the Somali military, there remains an absence of concrete evidence to substantiate such claims. Nur passed away in 2020 from COVID-19, leaving limited information about his life in Somalia, yet his obituary noted that he held the rank of colonel and led a regiment during the Somali-Ethiopian War from 1977 to 1978.
Under President Mohamed Siad Barre’s authoritarian regime, the Somali National Army, alongside various paramilitary forces, was implicated in war crimes and genocidal acts against the Issaq clan during the 1980s. Although it is unclear if Nur was involved in these atrocities, there exists no definitive evidence confirming his participation, nor has any evidence surfaced to suggest wrongdoing since his immigration to the U.S.
Following R ep. Omar’s election as the first Somali American and hijab-wearing Muslim woman to Congress, various rumors about her background emerged, including allegations regarding her father’s past. However, credible sources indicate that Nur emigrated legally and had received asylum status, consistently ruling out any accusation of wrongdoing during his time in Somalia.
The 1977-78 Somali-Ethiopian War, also known as the Ogaden War, was a pivotal event tied to Nur’s military career. Following the war, the Somali military was accused of committing genocide against civilians in the north. Notably, various factions in Somali society gained or lost power and faced chaos following this conflict. Nur’s activities during the immediate post-war period remain largely undocumented.
Ilhan Omar highlights her father’s role as an educator and describes his heritage in her memoir, where he is noted to be part of the Majerteen clan. This clan experienced severe persecution under Siad Barre’s regime after their attempt to overthrow him failed. Consequently, many Majerteen clan members, including Nur, faced oppression, leading to further ongoing conflict across Somalia.
While Nur held a significant position in Somalia’s military, details regarding his actions between 1978 and 1991 are scarce. The Sahan Journal’s obituary mentioned his later involvement in efforts to restore security in Puntland, yet no evidence links Nur Omar Mohamed to any war crimes during this tumultuous period in Somalia’s history. As it stands, no credible information has emerged substantiating claims of Nur’s involvement in war crimes or genocide within Somalia.
In summary, accusations regarding Nur Omar Mohamed’s involvement in war crimes lack concrete evidence. His military background and the historical context of the Somali-Ethiopian War may draw speculation, but definitive connections to war crimes remain unsubstantiated. Moreover, Representative Ilhan Omar’s family legacy, particularly her father’s life in the context of Somali history, has been the subject of undue scrutiny without credible proof. As such, the claims against him should be approached with caution and critical examination.
Original Source: www.snopes.com
