But I think the reason muqdisho bears the brunt is because it's the capital and very symbolic. If you want to undermine a country you encourage chaos in the most populated, commercial, cultural and political nerve-centre. Why was it a big deal for the libyan rebels to capture Tripoli rather than other small villages on the way?
If i want to disintegrate Ethiopia then I would head for Addis ababa. This is precisely why the Ethios came running into xamar as soon as order was restored in 2006.
You hit it on head.
What Al Shabaab wants is to create a climate of fear in the minds of locals just as they've done in Marka, Beledweyne, Kismaayo and Baardheere etc.
Little do they know that Mogadisho unlike all the other cities has seen it all, for 20 years it has taken all the beatings from different aggressors, thus there is nothing more that Al Shabaab or any other group or country can do it that will further shatter its spirit and resiliance. Mogadisho is untamable for the unwanted groups.