DHAKA: Police in Yemen have shot at anti-government Shia protesters in the capital, Sanaa, killing at least one person.

Witnesses say, reports the BBC.

In recent days, thousands of Houthi demonstrators have intensified weeks of protests on the outskirts of the city.

They have held sit-ins at ministries and on the main airport road in their push to overthrow the government.

The head of special forces was sacked on Monday after a failed attempt to disperse the protest.

The Houthis have staged periodic uprisings since 2004 in an effort to win greater autonomy for their northern heartland of Saada province.

Airstrikes by government forces are continuing against Houthi positions in the north.

Houthi leaders told media that two of their members were killed and dozens were wounded in the Sanaa protest.

But correspondents say these figures could not immediately be confirmed.

BDST: 1608 HRS, SEP 09, 2014