Turkey-Azerbaijan Relations Strained by School Headscarf Dispute

Turkey and Azerbaijan, long-standing allies, are facing a diplomatic rift over Azerbaijan’s school regulations on Islamic headscarves and Azerbaijan’s ties with Israel.

Sharing linguistic and cultural ties, the two countries have long used the phrase “One nation, two states” to reflect their close relationship. Recent remarks by officials from both countries have revealed tensions that were previously less apparent.

The clash exaggerated on Monday when Oktay Saral, a chief adviser to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, complained Azerbaijan’s verdict to stiffen school uniform rules. The rules ban clothing that clashes with standard uniforms or the secular principles of education.

In a post on X, Saral said wearing a headscarf was a religious requirement and urged Azerbaijan to reverse the decision.

A day later, Azerbaijan’s ruling Yeni Azerbaijan Party (YAP) responded strongly, criticising Saral and members of Erdogan’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) for what it called populist and irresponsible remarks. The party also accused unnamed parties of conducting an increasingly aggressive campaign of disinformation against Azerbaijan.

The disagreement reflects differences between Azerbaijan’s largely secular political system and Turkey’s conservative leadership. It has also brought attention to their contrasting positions on Israel.

In recent years, Azerbaijan has maintained closer ties with Israel, notably during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, during which Israel provided drones and other military equipment to Baku. Relations between Turkey and Israel have become increasingly strained, as Erdogan indicts Israel of genocide in Gaza and Turkish officials keep on in connection with Hamas leaders.

Turkey’s pro-government media has also criticised Azerbaijan’s headscarf restrictions. The Yeni Safak newspaper suggested the decision could be a gesture towards Israel. Azerbaijan’s ruling party rejected what it described as attempts to distort the nature of its relationship with Israel and use it to make political accusations against the country.

Specialists say Azerbaijan has become more assured in chasing an independent foreign policy as its regional stimulus raises. Political analyst Fuad Shahbazov said moving geopolitical conditions had cheered Baku to approve a more reasonable tactic and struggle burden from external actors, including allies.

Despite the public disagreements, officials from both countries have signalled that they want to prevent the dispute from damaging broader relations.

Turkey and Azerbaijan have indicated their inclination to decide their changes, with officials emphasizing the prominence of their long-lasting corporation. Both countries have strong economic and strategic interests, mainly in energy cooperation and regional access to Central Asia. However, tensions remain, as Azerbaijan has delivered an international arrest warrant for Turkish journalist Celal Ciftci over allegations of calling for a coup and promoting religious extremism.