U.S. hunt for Awlaki jeopardized as Yemeni president teeters

Even before the outbreak of a popular uprising that threatens to topple Saleh’s government, Yemen’s efforts to capture Aulaqi were plagued by limited resources and lack of governmental authority in the southern part of the country, where he is suspected to be hiding. But now, with the government struggling for its survival, Yemeni officials say the quest to find Aulaqi has become even less of a priority, and the chances of one of the world’s most wanted men continuing to escape capture are even greater…

Now, Saleh is fighting for his political survival. With large swaths of the country under tribal control, he needs to preserve his alliances with tribes — including with the Aulaqi tribe, one of Yemen’s strongest — and prevent them from joining the burgeoning opposition movement.

“Even if they want to get him, it will be very difficult,” said Nasser al-Aulaqi, the radical cleric’s father. “There’s no way for the Yemeni government to send troops to find him.”