Erdogan Dismisses Chief Adviser as Ankara Works to Mend Rift With Baku Over Headscarf Ban

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dismissed one of his chief advisers on Sunday as part of an effort to repair relations with Azerbaijan, according to Middle East Eye. The dispute centers on a headscarf ban in Azerbaijani schools.

The adviser, Oktay Saral, confirmed his removal to the outlet. In a message, he said he had "absolute respect for the president's decision."

Middle East Eye understands that Saral was let go to satisfy Azerbaijani demands intended to end the crisis between the two countries, which share ethnic, cultural, religious and historical ties.

The row began last month, when Azerbaijan introduced a headscarf ban in primary and secondary schools. The move set off protests in Turkey and drew criticism of the government in Baku. Saral posted on social media at the time, criticising the decision and urging Baku to reverse it.

His remarks prompted a sharp response earlier this month from the New Azerbaijan Party of President Ilham Aliyev. The party called on Ankara to avoid hegemonic tendencies in the Islamic world.

Turkey has been trying to persuade Aliyev to attend the Organisation of Turkic States summit, which is due to be held in Turkey later this week. Readouts from both countries of a Thursday phone call between the two presidents said Erdogan had invited Aliyev, but neither said whether he would come. Turkish officials were reportedly worried that Aliyev, angered by the protests in Turkey, could stay away.

Middle East Eye reported last week that Azerbaijan had asked Ankara to dismiss Saral and to prosecute social media commentators who had insulted Aliyev. An Azerbaijani source told the outlet that Saral's removal would make Aliyev more likely to take part in the summit. "Before this decision, the likelihood was less than fifty percent," the source said.

Earlier Turkish efforts to calm the situation had not improved relations. A visit to Baku by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was followed by a wave of hostile coverage in Azerbaijani media.