From Fox News · Jasmine Baehr · · 1m 30s
A dictator's son, living quietly in Ohio
Thirty-four years after Somalia's regime fell, its ruler's family turned up in the Columbus suburbs.
In brief
Thirty-four years after Somalia's regime fell, its ruler's family turned up in the Columbus suburbs. Living in the U.S. is not proof of wrongdoing, but survivors want the record examined, and America has deported Barre-era figures before. Originally reported by Fox News.
He lives in Columbus
Ayanle Siad Barre, 61, has been living in the Columbus area for years, according to a New York Post report. His sister, Deka Mohamed Siad, is in Ohio too.
Whose son he is
Mohamed Siad Barre ruled Somalia from 1969 until his government fell in 1991. His regime was accused of torture and mass killings, including atrocities against the Isaaq clan.
As many as 200,000 dead
That is the toll historians attach to the Barre years. The dictator himself died in 1995, never tried for any of it.
The right-hand man claim
Oxford doctoral researcher Mohamed Haji Ingiriis says Ayanle held real power inside his father's government. Fox News Digital has not verified that.
“right-hand man”
One man was already deported
Former Somali commander Yusuf Abdi Ali lived in Virginia as a permanent resident until a judge found he tortured civilians. He was sent back to Somalia in December 2024.
“The United States will not be a safe haven for those who commit human rights violations.”
Survivors want answers
Activist Suleiman Bolaleh is calling for a U.S. investigation into what Barre family members knew or did. No wrongdoing by Ayanle has been established, and he did not respond to requests for comment.
The takeaway
Living in the U.S. is not proof of wrongdoing, but survivors want the record examined, and America has deported Barre-era figures before.
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