YEMENI President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi fired the head of his special forces today after a botched bid to disperse a Shi’ite sit-in.

A senior security official said a replacement was due to be appointed late today, with interior ministry official Major General Mohammed Ghadra tipped to take over.

Security forces moved on the sit-in in the capital Sana’a on Sunday with water cannon, tear gas and bulldozers.

One person died from inhaling tear gas, hospital officials said.

After hours of clashes, the security forces retreated with their tails between their legs.

The protesters want Mr Hadi to fire the government and reinstate fuel subsidies.

He has replaced the prime minister and dismissed the cabinet, but the crowds refused to budge, demanding a stronger role in the decision making process.

They criticised the attempt to clear the sit-in as “foolish.”

A security official said the action was “flustered” and did not appear to be well co-ordinated with the government.

The protesters expanded their sit-in yesterday, advancing along the road from Sanaa’s airport to near the Interior Ministry building.