Erdogan sacks adviser amid efforts to repair ties with Azerbaijan over headscarf row

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1. 2h ago

   Erdogan Fires Advisor Over Azerbaijan Headscarf Row

   Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed senior advisor Oktay Saral following tensions between Turkey and Azerbaijan. The friction arose after Saral criticized Azerbaijan over its ban on headscarves in primary and secondary schools. Saral confirmed his departure, stating he learned of the decision on Saturday. The dismissal meets demands from Baku as Turkey works to repair bilateral relations and secure President Ilham Aliyev's attendance at an upcoming Turkic states summit. The headscarf dispute has tested strategic ties and created a diplomatic chill between Ankara and Baku.

   Why it matters

   The disagreement over hijab policies in Azerbaijan has strained diplomatic channels between the two close allies. Turkey's efforts to mend ties include addressing grievances from Baku, which expects deference regarding its domestic policies, particularly following its military actions in Karabakh. Preserving trust between Turkey and Azerbaijan is viewed as vital for the wider Turkic world.

   What is confirmed

   • Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has dismissed senior advisor Oktay Saral.
   • Oktay Saral stated that he learned of his dismissal on Saturday.
   • The adviser's removal meets a demand from Baku as Turkey seeks to secure President Ilham Aliyev's attendance at a Turkic states summit.
   • Tensions between Turkey and Azerbaijan escalated following criticism of Azerbaijan's ban on headscarves in primary and secondary schools.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Oktay Saral announced his resignation in protest against the hijab ban in Azerbaijan rather than being dismissed.

   What to watch next

   • President Ilham Aliyev's attendance or non-attendance at the upcoming Turkic states summit
   • Further diplomatic statements from Ankara or Baku regarding the headscarf dispute
   Sources used for this update (22)

   1. Middle East Eye — Erdogan sacks adviser amid efforts to repair ties with Azerbaijan over headscarf row
   2. Foreign Policy — What’s Behind Turkish-Azerbaijani Tensions?
   3. Kyiv Post — Big Chill Between Turkey and Azerbaijan
   4. Operativ Məlumat Mərkəzi — Devlet Bahçeli receives Azerbaijan’s ambassador to Türkiye
   5. AzerNews — New Azerbaijan Party and Turkiye's Victory Party discuss future cooperation [PHOTOS]
   6. report.az — Bahceli: Preserving trust between Türkiye, Azerbaijan vital for Turkic world
   7. Operativ Məlumat Mərkəzi — Oktay Saral confirms departure from presidential advisory post
   8. Aqreqator.az — Erdogan’s chief adviser Oktay Saral expected to resign
   9. Ynetnews — Israel, Turkey and Azerbaijan: how a hijab dispute tests Baku’s strategic independence
   10. Azərtac — Media and Broadcasting Council condemns disinformation about alleged mass arrests over hijab in Azerbaijan
   11. Trend News Agency — Oktay Saral makes statement about resignation as Chief Advisor to President of Türkiye
   12. Apa.az — Oktay Saral issues statement on resignation as Chief Adviser to the President of Türkiye
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