The headscarf dispute reflects deeper tensions between Turkey and Azerbaijan, with Ankara fiercely critical of Israel over the Gaza war while Baku maintains strong ties with Tel Aviv. (AFP pic)ANKARA: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev skipped a summit of Turkic states on Friday despite a personal invitation from his Turkish counterpart, highlighting growing tensions between the historic allies over domestic and regional policies.

Ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan have become strained in recent weeks over some Turkish officials' criticism of Baku's decision to impose restrictions on the use of headscarves under new secular school uniform regulations.

Aliyev and other Azeri officials warned against interference in Baku's affairs, without mentioning Turkey — a rare crack in an alliance of nations at the heart of a fractured region. Any worse break could hurt Turkey's ambitions of increasing its influence in an area where Russia traditionally holds sway.