Why was Zobe junction again hit after the 2017 disaster?

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Zobe Junction Targeted Again Amidst Ongoing Al-Shabaab Insurgency

The Zobe junction in Mogadishu was again the site of a devastating attack on October 30, resulting in 100 fatalities and 300 injuries. This incident occurred at the same location where a massive truck bomb explosion on October 14, 2017, claimed 512 lives and injured over 290 people. The recent attack involved twin car bombings near Somalia's education ministry, followed by gunfire. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the recurrence as "history," emphasizing the continuity of targets and victims.
Al-Shabaab's Persistent Campaign Against the Government

The Islamist group Al-Shabaab has been engaged in a protracted insurgency for approximately 15 years, aiming to overthrow the Somali government. Although driven from the capital in 2011 by an African Union force, Al-Shabaab continues to exert control over significant rural areas and perpetrates frequent, deadly attacks. Their consistent operational presence and capacity for large-scale attacks, as demonstrated by the Zobe junction bombings, underscore their enduring threat to national stability.
Pattern of Attacks on Civilian and Government Infrastructure

The targeting of the Zobe junction, a busy intersection, and the education ministry indicates Al-Shabaab's strategy of striking at symbols of the state and civilian life. This approach aligns with their broader objective of destabilising the government and undermining public confidence. Previous attacks, such as the August siege on the Hayat hotel which killed 21, and the September claim of responsibility for an attack in Kismayo that resulted in nine deaths, further illustrate Al-Shabaab's continued offensive operations across various locations.
Government's Response and Public Safety Directives

Following the August hotel attack, President Mohamud declared an "all-out war" against the Islamists. In September, he issued directives urging citizens to avoid areas under jihadist control as offensives against Al-Shabaab were intensified. These measures reflect the government's commitment to confronting the insurgency, while also acknowledging the inherent risks posed to the civilian population during ongoing conflict and counter-insurgency operations.

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Why was Zobe junction again hit after the 2017 disaster?

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