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On December 20, 2024, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deported Yusuf Abdi Ali, a 71-year-old former lieutenant colonel in the Somali National Army, to Somalia. Ali, also known as “Tukeh,” is accused of committing severe human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial killings, during his tenure from 1987 to 1989 under the regime of Siad Barre.
Background and Allegations
As the commander of the Fifth Brigade in northwest Somalia, Ali allegedly orchestrated terror campaigns against the Isaaq clan. Reports indicate that under his command, the Somali National Army engaged in numerous human rights violations, such as the execution of suspected political opponents, burning of towns, unlawful use of landmines, and destruction of water reservoirs to target civilian populations.
Legal Proceedings in the United States
Ali’s presence in the United States came under scrutiny following a civil lawsuit in the Eastern District of Virginia. In May 2019, a jury found him liable for the torture of a Somali herder, awarding the plaintiff damages. Subsequently, on February 8, 2024, a Department of Justice immigration judge issued a comprehensive 65-page decision, concluding that Ali had personally engaged in acts of torture and had ordered subordinates to detain, torture, and participate in extrajudicial killings. This ruling led to the order for his removal to Somalia.
ICE’s Human Rights Enforcement Efforts
Ali’s deportation underscores ICE’s commitment to identifying, investigating, and removing individuals involved in human rights violations. The agency’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center played a pivotal role in supporting the case against Ali. This action reflects the U.S. government’s broader initiative to ensure that perpetrators of such crimes are not granted safe haven within its borders.
International Context
Ali’s deportation is part of a broader international effort to hold former officials accountable for human rights abuses. For instance, earlier in December 2024, a former Syrian military official, Samir Ousman al-Sheikh, who oversaw the notorious Adra Prison, was indicted in California on federal torture charges. These cases highlight a global commitment to justice and the enforcement of human rights laws.
Conclusion
The removal of Yusuf Abdi Ali from the United States serves as a significant reminder of the ongoing efforts to address past human rights violations. It emphasizes the importance of legal mechanisms in providing justice for victims and holding perpetrators accountable, regardless of the time elapsed since the offenses.