Ayanle Siad Barre, the son of former Somali dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, has reportedly been living in Ohio for years, according to a recent report. His father's regime, which ruled Somalia from 1969 until it was overthrown in 1991, has been accused of widespread atrocities, including mass killings and torture.
Ayanle Siad Barre, 61, resides in the Columbus area, which is home to a significant Somali population. His sister, Deka Mohamed Siad, is also reported to be living in Ohio. Their father, Mohamed Siad Barre, died in 1995.
Historians describe Ayanle Siad Barre as having held significant power within his father's government, serving as his "right-hand man." These allegations have not been independently verified by Fox News Digital.
This situation comes years after another figure from the Barre era, former Somali military commander Yusuf Abdi Ali, was deported from the U.S. in December 2024. An immigration judge found that Ali personally engaged in torture while serving in the Somali National Army and ordered soldiers under his command to detain and torture civilians and assist in extrajudicial killings. ICE stated at the time that "The United States will not be a safe haven for those who commit human rights violations."
Reports indicate that Ayanle Siad Barre established a translation services company named Somal Global Services. His sister, Deka, and her late husband reportedly operated Vanguard Home Health Care, a company that received over $1.8 million in Medicare funding. The company appears to have operated legitimately and filed necessary paperwork.
Survivors of the Barre regime are now urging U.S. authorities to investigate members of the former dictator's family. Human rights activist Suleiman Bolaleh has called for an inquiry to determine the extent of knowledge or involvement of Barre family members during the dictatorship. The calls for an investigation do not establish wrongdoing by Ayanle or other family members.
Fox News Digital attempted to contact Ayanle Siad Barre for comment but was unsuccessful in reaching him through publicly listed contact information. Representatives from the Department of Justice, ICE, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not immediately respond to requests for comment.