Al - Qaeda has threatened revenge on Kenya ever since Kenyan troops entered Somalia . Mall attack shows Al - Shabaab has taken its ability to strike outside Somalia to a new level . According to the U.N. report , it has established links with Al-Shabaab affiliates elsewhere in East Africa and is enlisting the services of fighters returning from Somalia `` to conduct new and more complex operations . '' The attack meets criteria that al Qaeda leader al - Zawahiri stated in a recent message . Al - Shabaab allies in region include Kenyan militant group al Hijra and Eritrean rebels .
Al - Qaeda has threatened revenge on Kenya ever since Kenyan troops entered Somalia . Mall attack shows Al - Shabaab has taken its ability to strike outside Somalia to a new level . The attack meets criteria that al Qaeda leader al - Zawahiri stated in a recent message . Al - Shabaab allies in region include Kenyan militant group al Hijra and Eritrean rebels .