Al-Shabaab Issues Statement Defending Omar Artan, Accuses U.S. of Discrimination After Referee’s Deportation

MOGADISHU, June 11, 2026 — The controversy surrounding Somali referee Omar Artan’s deportation from the United States has taken a dramatic new turn after the militant group Al-Shabaab issued a statement defending the official and accusing Washington of hostility toward Somalis.

In a propaganda release circulated on Wednesday, the group seized on the growing international debate over Artan’s treatment, claiming the decision to deny him entry to the United States reflected broader discrimination against Somali citizens. The statement accused the U.S. government of pursuing policies that undermine Somalia and its people, while portraying Artan’s case as evidence of what it described as ethnic prejudice rather than legitimate security concerns.

The intervention by Al-Shabaab comes as criticism and support continue to pour in from political leaders, football officials and members of the Somali public following Artan’s deportation days before he was expected to participate in activities linked to the FIFA World Cup.

The United States has defended its decision. Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup, said American authorities acted on security grounds and would not compromise national safety.

“There are some things we cannot talk about, but one thing is for sure: anybody communicating with bad actors to plan harm against the US is not going to be granted entry,” Giuliani said in an interview with Sky News.

He added that U.S. authorities had concerns arising from the vetting process and suggested investigators had examined possible links between Artan and individuals associated with extremist networks. No public evidence has been released linking the referee to any terrorist activity, and Somali officials have strongly rejected any suggestion that he posed a security threat.

The case has triggered a diplomatic and political storm in Somalia, where Artan returned to a hero’s welcome after being sent back from the United States.

Omar Artan.

Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo described the incident as a reflection of deeper governance challenges facing the country.

“The circumstances surrounding this event remind the Somali people that whatever goes wrong in governance and politics has a direct impact on the structure of our nation and our valuable individuals,” Farmaajo said.

Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre also rallied behind the referee, saying the setback would not define his career.

“I told our Somali referee Omar Artan that while his World Cup officiating dream may have been delayed, it has never been diminished. Long before a ball is kicked, he has already won the hearts of millions and secured his place in history,” Barre said.

The Somali Football Federation likewise defended Artan, describing him as a respected international referee who has represented Somalia with integrity on the global stage.

Security analysts say Al-Shabaab’s decision to publicly champion Artan is likely an attempt to exploit a highly emotional issue for propaganda purposes and position itself as a defender of Somali interests. The group has frequently sought to capitalize on political grievances and disputes involving foreign governments to strengthen its narrative among sections of the population.

While the militant organization’s statement has added another layer of controversy to an already sensitive case, Somali officials have largely focused on defending Artan’s reputation and demanding greater transparency from U.S. authorities regarding the reasons behind his deportation.

For now, the Omar Artan saga has evolved from a sporting controversy into a wider geopolitical dispute touching on immigration policy, counterterrorism, national identity and Somalia’s relationship with the United States. With Washington standing by its decision and Somali leaders continuing to demand answers, the debate shows little sign of fading.