Yusuf Abdi Ali, a 71-year-old former lieutenant colonel in the Somali National Army, also known as “Tukeh,” was deported from the United States on December 20, 2024, following a lengthy legal battle that culminated in a ruling confirming his involvement in human rights abuses. Ali held a position of command within the Fifth Brigade in northwestern Somalia during the oppressive Siad Barre regime, which held power from 1987 to 1989. During this period, the Somali National Army, under Barre’s dictatorship, perpetrated widespread atrocities against civilians, particularly targeting the Isaaq clan.
Ali’s deportation marks a significant victory for human rights advocates and a testament to the U.S. government’s commitment to holding perpetrators of such crimes accountable, regardless of the passage of time. The case underscores the importance of international cooperation in pursuing justice for victims of human rights abuses and serves as a deterrent for those who might seek refuge in foreign lands after committing such heinous acts. The deportation signifies that the United States will not serve as a sanctuary for those who have engaged in torture, extrajudicial killings, and other violations of international human rights law.
The charges against Ali included overseeing terror activities against the Isaaq clan, which involved a range of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary detention. The Somali National Army, during Barre’s reign, engaged in a systematic campaign of violence against civilians, which included the execution of political opponents, the destruction of entire villages, the indiscriminate use of landmines, and the deliberate targeting of civilian water supplies. These actions resulted in widespread suffering and displacement, leaving a lasting legacy of trauma and devastation.
A comprehensive 65-page decision issued by a Department of Justice immigration judge in February 2024 detailed Ali’s direct involvement in torture during his tenure as a military commander. The judge’s ruling outlined how Ali issued orders to his subordinates to detain, torture, and participate in extrajudicial killings. Based on the overwhelming evidence presented, the judge ordered Ali’s removal from the United States. This decision followed a lengthy legal process that involved gathering testimonies from victims and witnesses, painstakingly documenting Ali’s role in the atrocities, and navigating complex legal procedures.
The Center for Justice & Accountability, a U.S.-based law firm representing one of Ali’s victims, Farhan Warfaa, described Ali as “one of the most ruthless commanders” of the Barre regime. Warfaa, who was abducted as a teenager by soldiers under Ali’s command, endured months of brutal captivity, during which he was repeatedly beaten and ultimately shot and left for dead. Remarkably, Warfaa survived the ordeal, and in 2019, a federal civil court in Alexandria, Virginia, found Ali liable for the torture inflicted upon him. This civil case served as a crucial step towards holding Ali accountable for his crimes and provided a measure of justice for Warfaa, though it could not fully compensate for the horrific ordeal he endured.
Ali, who had been residing as a permanent resident in Springfield, Virginia, was apprehended by Homeland Security Investigations in November 2022. His arrest marked a crucial turning point in the pursuit of justice, signifying that individuals who perpetrate human rights abuses cannot escape accountability, even if they seek refuge in other countries. The deportation of Ali reinforces the U.S. government’s commitment to upholding international human rights standards and demonstrates the dedication of law enforcement agencies to pursuing and apprehending those responsible for such crimes. The case also highlights the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, not just for individual acts of violence, but also for their role in enabling and overseeing systematic human rights abuses.
