For Abu Mansoor al-Amriki , the mall was an attractive target because Westerners frequented it . Al-Qaeda 's new leader , Ayman al-Zawahiri , who had earlier petitioned bin Laden to reconsider his views about the proposed merger between Al-Shabaab and al-Qaeda , believed the time was right to announce formal ties between the two groups . Also , it fits with the Somalia -based terrorist group 's enmity with Nairobi . The group has recruited around dozens Danish men and also dozens from West . The attack on the Nairobi mall may be an attempt by Al-Shabaab to signal its continued relevance .
For Abu Mansoor al-Amriki , the mall was an attractive target because Westerners frequented it . Also , it fits with the Somalia -based terrorist group 's enmity with Nairobi . The group has recruited around dozens Danish men and also dozens from West . The attack on the Nairobi mall may be an attempt by Al-Shabaab to signal its continued relevance .