Erdogan dismisses adviser after Turkey-Azerbaijan rift over school headscarf ban; his removal was reportedly a core Azerbaijani demand

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed chief adviser Oktay Saral on Sunday after Saral criticized Azerbaijan’s ban on headscarves in public primary and secondary schools and called on Baku to reverse it immediately. Middle East Eye reported that Saral’s removal was a core demand from Azerbaijan. Saral later confirmed his dismissal to local media and said he had “absolute respect” for the decision.

The remarks angered many in Azerbaijan, who viewed them as condescending and disrespectful to bilateral ties despite the two countries’ fraternal relations. Farid Shukurlu told i24NEWS that brotherly relations did not mean Azerbaijan was Turkey’s junior.