Ilhan Omar spent the Christmas season of 2022 in Somalia at a Puntland government event alongside General Mohamed Said Hersi Morgan, the notorious “Butcher of Hargeisa.”
Morgan commanded Somali government forces during a brutal military campaign against the Isaaq population. Human Rights Watch documented the bombing of civilian neighborhoods, mass killings, poisoned wells, destroyed crops, and forced displacement.
An estimated 50,000–60,000 people were killed during the campaign. Roughly 80% of Hargeisa was destroyed.
Ilhan’s father, Nur Omar Mohamed, was a colonel in dictator Siad Barre’s military. That is the same regime Morgan served, although no evidence establishes her father’s involvement in Morgan’s atrocities.
Ilhan Omar’s sister, Sahra Noor, posed with Morgan. Ilhan Omar’s brother described Morgan as an “uncle” and a longtime family friend.
Morgan’s victims never received justice. Yet more than three decades later, he was seated at a Somalian government event honoring U.S. congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
Why was a commander accused of overseeing the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians welcomed at an event honoring Omar?