Because of the hijab: Erdogan fell out with Israel's strategic partner

Erdogan landed in Azerbaijan in an attempt to mend a diplomatic rift after Azerbaijan restricted headscarves in schools, Aliyev boycotted a summit in Ankara, against the backdrop of Azerbaijan's ties with Israel and Turkey's rapprochement with Armenia.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan landed in Azerbaijan in an attempt to mend the rift with his close ally, following a diplomatic dispute over headscarves and a boycott of a summit in Ankara. The tensions began after Azerbaijan's authorities decided in September to restrict the use of Islamic headscarves in schools, as part of new dress regulations aimed at preserving the secular nature of the education system. The decision drew criticism from circles close to the Turkish ruling party. Baku responded sharply, accusing Turkish elements of interfering in its internal affairs and even banning more than 30 Turkish citizens from entering its territory. Erdogan dismissed his advisor Oktay Saral, who had publicly criticized Azerbaijani policy. The crisis escalated when Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev was absent from a summit of the Organization of Turkic States held in Ankara on October 30, despite a personal invitation from Erdogan. In the background are also close security and strategic ties between Azerbaijan and Israel, including advanced weapons procurement, while Turkey adopts a hostile line toward Jerusalem and cultivates ties with Hamas. Another dispute concerns the rapprochement between Ankara and Armenia, Baku's historic rival. Despite the tensions, the two countries continue to maintain extensive military and economic cooperation.