Cold snap between Azerbaijan and Turkey amid the 'veil affair' and thwarted regional ambitions

Tensions have arisen between Turkey and Azerbaijan over a hijab ban in Azerbaijani schools, challenging their historically close relationship. The conflict began on September 21 when Azerbaijan implemented a stricter dress code prohibiting the hijab in public schools. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized such restrictions during a UN speech, framing them as violations of Muslim women's rights, although he did not directly mention Azerbaijan.