Former Somali Dictator’s Son Living in Ohio

The son of former Somali dictator Mohamed Siad Barre, whose regime faced accusations of widespread atrocities, has been residing in Ohio for years, according to recent reports. Ayanle Siad Barre, aged 61, lives in the Columbus area, known for its large Somali community, as reported by the New York Post. His sister, Deka Mohamed Siad, also lives in Ohio.

Mohamed Siad Barre led Somalia from 1969 until his government was overthrown in 1991. His leadership has been blamed for mass killings, torture, and other human rights violations, including actions against the Isaaq clan, resulting in up to 200,000 deaths. Barre passed away in 1995.

Historian Mohamed Haji Ingiriis, a doctoral researcher at Oxford University, portrayed Ayanle as his father’s “right-hand man,” alleging that he held considerable influence within the government. Though these allegations remain unverified by Fox News Digital.

Mohamed Siad Barre, the president of Somalia, in 1981. (UPI/Bettmann Archive/Getty Images)

In previous reports, Fox News Digital detailed that Yusuf Abdi Ali, a former Somali military commander from Barre’s era, lived in the U.S. before his deportation. In 2024, an immigration judge found Ali guilty of engaging in torture and extrajudicial killings during his Somali National Army service, leading to his deportation in December 2024.

ICE official Russell Hott emphasized that the U.S. will not serve as a sanctuary for human rights violators.

Somalia President Mohamed Siad Barre in 1981. (Kevin Fleming/Corbis via Getty Images)

The Post noted that Ayanle founded a translation-services company, Somal Global Services. His sister Deka, alongside her late husband, operated Vanguard Home Health Care, which acquired over $1.8 million in Medicare funding. Documents suggest the company operated properly and fulfilled necessary paperwork.

Survivors of the Barre regime now urge U.S. authorities to investigate the dictator’s family members. Human rights advocate Suleiman Bolaleh called for inquiries into their activities during the dictatorship.

Mohamed Siad Barre with military officers in Mogadishu in 1969. (Pictures from History/Universal)

These requests for investigations do not conclusively indicate misconduct by Ayanle or his relatives. Attempts by Fox News Digital to reach Ayanle Siad Barre for comment were unsuccessful.

ICE, the Department of Justice, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services did not respond immediately to Fox News Digital’s inquiries.