Gulf states plan Yemen talks without Houthi rebels present

Houthi supporters attend a rally during the seventh anniversary of the Saudi-led coalition’s intervention in Yemen’s war in Sanaa (AP)

Gulf Arab states are holding a summit about the war in Yemen – but the country’s Houthi rebels are boycotting the talks because they are taking place in Saudi Arabia, their adversary in the conflict.

The decision by the Iranian-backed Houthis to skip the summit called by the Saudi-based Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has immediately called into question the effectiveness of such a gathering.