There were so many stories going round in the First Gulf War. We were issued gas masks by the British Embassy only to be asked for £80 per mask at the end of the conflict. This cost and they didn't even issue the water bottles. The Tom & Jerry toyshop on the Gulf Link Road (from the British Embassy to Jaidah Flyover) were selling the masks with a long trunk and canister for QR 2,000. The cartridge lasted for just 12 hours when a gas attack last nearer 24 hours.
those that remained in Qatar were greeted like long lost friends in the souk.