ICE deports former high-ranking Somalian military official accused of torture and terror
ICE officials in Washington, D.C., recently deported a former high-ranking Somalian military officer who has been accused of carrying out torture, terror, and other human rights abuses on civilians. Yusuf Abdi Ali, also known as “Tukeh,” was removed from the U.S. by ICE officials on Dec. 20. Ali, who is 71 years old, served as a lieutenant colonel in the Somali National Army and was the commander of the Fifth Brigade in northwest Somalia during the dictatorship of Siad Barre from 1987 to 1989.
During his time as a high-ranking officer in the Somali National Army, Ali allegedly oversaw terror activities against the Isaaq clan in northwestern Somalia. He is believed to have committed a range of human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention. These actions have led to his deportation from the U.S.
In a statement released on Dec. 23, ICE revealed that the Somali National Army committed numerous human rights violations against civilians during those years. These violations included the execution of suspected political opponents, the burning of entire towns, the unlawful use of landmines, and the destruction of water reservoirs to target civilian populations.
In February 2024, a Department of Justice immigration judge issued a 65-page decision determining that Ali personally engaged in torture while in a leadership position in the Somali National Army. The judge found that Ali ordered soldiers under his command to detain, torture, and assist in extrajudicial killings, leading to his removal to Somalia.
The Center for Justice & Accountability, a U.S.-based law firm representing one of Ali’s alleged victims, Farhan Warfaa, described Ali as “one of the most ruthless commanders” of the Barre Somalian dictatorship. Warfaa was abducted as a teenager by soldiers under Ali’s command, held for months, repeatedly beaten, and eventually shot and left for dead. Warfaa survived, and in 2019, a federal civil court in Alexandria, Virginia, found Ali liable for his torture.
Ali had been living as a permanent resident in Springfield, Virginia, until Homeland Security Investigations arrested him in November 2022. Russell Hott, acting executive associate director for Washington, D.C., ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, stated, “The United States will not be a safe haven for those who commit human rights violations, and we will persist in our efforts to pursue justice for the victims of these crimes.”
Hott emphasized that despite the delay, justice ultimately prevailed in Ali’s case. The deportation of Ali serves as a reminder that individuals who commit human rights abuses will not find refuge in the U.S. The efforts of ICE officials demonstrate a commitment to upholding human rights and seeking justice for victims of such crimes.
As the story of Yusuf Abdi Ali continues to unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their position or status. The deportation of Ali marks a significant step towards justice for the victims of his alleged human rights abuses.
