United Kingdom. 1990-91 First Gulf War early "suspended service" mail: 6 AUG 1990 airmail commercial cover from BRISTOL to KUWAIT CITY Iraq-occupied Kuwait, franked 32p per 10g letter rate of 2-10-1989/16-09-1990 & tied by machine slogan cancel; address subsequently crossed off by crayon & cover stamped by British 3 line instructional marking in all CAPs "RETURN TO SENDER | NO TRANSPORT LINK | AVAILABLE" (Kibble unlisted - this very unusual); though lacking return address, opened at top possibly by the Post Office in attempt to locate a return address. Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 Aug. and the operation ended the next day - this is very early postal suspension mail.

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United Kingdom. 1990-91 First Gulf War "suspended service" mail: 7 NOV 1990 surface mail commercial cover from LEICESTER to FAHAHEEL Iraq-occupied Kuwait, franked 26p per 20g surface mail letter rate of 17-09-1990/8-07-1996 & tied by machine slogan cancel; address subsequently crossed off by pen & cover attached by British 3 line instructional printed label in all CAPs "RETURN TO SENDER. | NO TRANSFER LINK AVAILABLE | BECAUSE OF MIDDLE EAST SITUATION." (Kibble unlisted - this very unusual); returned to sender at RAF North Luffenham (closed 1998) & backstamped 19 NOV 1990 BIRMINGHAM transit. Still sealed. Iraq invaded Kuwait on 2 Aug. and the operation ended the next day; cover mailed during the "Desert Shield" operation period (to 16 Jan 1991). Scarce as surface mail.

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