Ilhan Omar’s father, Nur Omar Mohamed, has been characterized as a “feared” colonel in the Somali National Army (SNA), contrary to the image of him as merely an “educator.” This claim comes from a veteran who served alongside him, and it has raised questions about the narrative presented to the public.
When arriving in the U.S. with his family in 1995, Nur allegedly concealed his military history, which may have jeopardized his asylum claims.
A retired military officer in Somalia recently shared insights about Nur, who he described as a key figure in dictator Siad Barre’s harsh regime. “I served in the military with Nur; he was the colonel of my regiment and I would often see him directly,” this anonymous veteran stated, expressing concern over the discrepancies in Omar’s portrayal of her father, who passed away in 2020.
“He held a significant rank—nobody reaches colonel without being quite proficient. He was known for his smart military attire and commanded a certain respect, even fear, from others.”
The former officer recalled Nur’s prominence in the military hub of Baidoa and noted that he was among those selected for training in Egypt during the 1960s, swiftly climbing the ranks as a trusted operative.
Nur played a pivotal role during the Somali-Ethiopian conflict from 1977 to 1978, collaborating closely on military strategies and troop organization. “Many lost their lives during that war,” the veteran added regretfully.
Should it be confirmed that Nur misled U.S. immigration authorities, there could be serious implications for his children who came with him.
Ilhan Omar, now a U.S. citizen, is currently facing a federal inquiry concerning her immigration history, including allegations that she misrepresented her age to qualify for citizenship through her father more easily, along with accusations of marrying her brother for residency purposes. Omar has firmly denied any wrongdoing regarding her immigration status, though her representatives opted not to provide a comment.
Nur, who died due to COVID-19 complications at age 67, allegedly enlisted in the SNA in the late 1960s, initially focusing on air defense before shifting to the infantry and becoming integral to Barre’s military during his regime, which followed a Soviet-backed coup in 1969.
Born in Bandarbeyla, located in Puntland, Nur advanced through the military ranks. However, his career was cut short after Barre’s regime fell in 1991 during a period marked by significant violence and civilian casualties.
Even though there is no direct evidence linking him to war crimes, historian Mohamed Haji Ingiriis has critiqued Nur’s role, suggesting he was complicit in maintaining Barre’s oppressive rule.
After becoming refugees in Kenya, Nur and his family eventually settled in Minneapolis, where he worked as a taxi driver and postal worker. Yet, sources noted that he continued to engage in local politics in Puntland, allegedly advising on clan conflicts long after relocating to the U.S.
“Being a military man was his entire life,” the veteran remarked, reflecting on Nur’s dual existence. This situation escalated recently, as Homeland Security conducted a raid on Omar’s residence in connection to an ongoing investigation into her immigration documents, which include her birth date. Reports suggest that investigators seized her cellphone, notebooks, personal computers, and passport as part of the inquiry.
