Blockade of the Hydian Way

The Blockade of the Hydian Way was an offensive action against the Galactic Republic by the Mandalorian warriors during the Great Galactic War. The blockade was the result of years of Imperial investments in the resurrection of the then-disbanded Mandalorian clans that culminated with the rise of a new Mandalore, leader of the Mandalorians. After gathering his wayward warriors to him, the Mandalore acquiesced to Imperial demands for support in their decades-long war against the Republic. Mandalorian cruisers seized control of the Hydian Way, a vital trade and supply route used by the Republic for military and civilian purposes alike.

Mandalorian Rebirth


After the Mandalorian Wars, the Mandalore clans were scattered across the Galaxy. Many became bounty hunters and mercenaries. Even though Mandalore the Preserver attempted to reunite them, the Mandalorians remained divided.

This would change during the Great Galactic War. A warrior, who rose to prominence among the Geonosis gladiatorial arena, reclaimed the title of Mandalore. He then sent out a call to the Mandalorians to reunite. All across the Galaxy, Mandalorians answered the call and soon, the new Mandalore had a rebuilt army under his command. He then declared that the Mandalorians would fance the Galaxy's greatest challenge by fighting the Jedi. What most did not know was that he was actually a pawn under the control of the Sith Empire.

The blockade
The Mandalorians led a fleet to the Hydian Way and cut it off completely. The Republic pleaded with the Jedi to break the blockade, and they eventually agreed. But the Mandalorians soundly defeated the Jedi task force. The blockade soon took a huge toll on the Republic. Raw goods couldn't reach the Core Worlds and Republic forces fighting the Sith began folding. The Senate even began to talk about surrender to the Sith.



However, the smuggler Hylo Visz recognized a great opportunity; if she and her partners broke the blockade, they would be paid greatly by the Republic. She assembled a fleet of light starships and launched an attack against the blockade. Republic Strategic Information Systems learnt of the fighting and Republic reinforcements were dispatched from nearby systems. Caught between Visz's fleet and the Republic reinforcements, the Mandalorians were defeated.

Aftermath
With the blockade broken, the Republic was able to continue the war with the Sith Empire. Hylo Visz was hailed as a hero by the Republic. Meanwhile, Mandalore went on to lead his followers to new challenges.

It is later believed that the breaking of the blockade may have inadvertently caused the Sacking of Coruscant, since the Sith became desparate to finish off the Republic after the blockade failed.

Appearances

 * Timeline 1: Treaty of Coruscant
 * Timeline 2: The Mandalorian Blockade is Broken
 * Timeline 3: The Return of the Mandalorians
 * Timeline 4: The Empire Changes Strategy