- "My world tried to avoid taking sides in the war, but the Separatists staged a coup in the guise of legitimate political action."
- ―Saw Gerrera
In 22 BBY,[3] at the start of the Clone Wars between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and Galactic Republic,[1] the Confederacy invaded the world of Onderon in the Inner Rim Territories[2] after staging[5] and covertly supporting a pro-Separatist coup. Legally speaking, the Confederacy military was "invited" to Onderon by Sanjay Rash, a Separatist puppet who came to power through the coup.[6] In reality, however, the incident was an invasion, with Rash even having been appointed by Count Dooku.[2]
The invasion[]
- "Onderon is in your king's rule, and at the outbreak of the Clone War, he chose to align it with the Separatists."
"Our true king has been silenced. The one you recognize is a traitor and a Separatist minion." - ―Obi-Wan Kenobi and Saw Gerrera
During the Clone Wars, the Onderonian king, Ramsis Dendup, had refused to side with either the Galactic Republic nor Confederacy of Independent Systems due to the corruption in both[7] and hoped a neutral stance would spare Onderon from the damages of the fighting.[4] With some under his rule deeming him a coward but seeing the moment as a chance to grab power,[7] Sanjay Rash, who deemed an alliance with the Separatists the best way to ensure Onderon's future, managed to become the new king through unclear means.[7] The Confederacy covertly supported a coup that brought him to power.[6]
Rash was appointed to the position of king by Count Dooku to serve as a Separatist puppet.[2] Legally speaking, however, the planet withdrew from the Republic on Rash's order. The Droid Army was "invited" to Onderon to help with security,[6] but the action was truly an invasion.[2] Nevertheless, any open response from Republic would be branded an act of aggression thanks to Rash's legal standing[6] and Onderon's history of neutrality.[8] However, the invasion and Rash's appointment inspired a resistance movement[2] that began the Onderonian Civil War.[1]
Appearances[]
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "A War on Two Fronts" (First appearance) (In flashback(s))
- Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear (and audiobook) (Mentioned only)
Sources[]
"A War on Two Fronts" Episode Guide | The Clone Wars on StarWars.com (backup link)
King Ramsis Dendup in the Encyclopedia (original site is defunct)
King Sanjay Rash in the Encyclopedia (original site is defunct)
Mina Bonteri in the Encyclopedia (original site is defunct) (Indirect mention only)
Onderon in the Encyclopedia (original site is defunct)
Onderon rebels in the Encyclopedia (original site is defunct)
"The Clone Wars" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy
- Star Wars Encyclopedia: The Comprehensive Guide to the Star Wars Galaxy
King Ramsis Dendup in the Databank (backup link)
King Sanjay Rash in the Databank (backup link) (Indirect mention only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "A War on Two Fronts"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "A War on Two Fronts" establishes that Onderon fell to the Confederacy of Independent Systems during the early period of the Clone Wars, which Star Wars: Galactic Atlas establishes began in 22 BBY with the First Battle of Geonosis. Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy notes that the Onderonian Civil War followed the Separatist invasion, and Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide establishes that the Civil War began twenty-two years before the Battle of Scarif, which occurred in 0 BBY according to Galactic Atlas. Therefore, the Civil War began in 22 BBY. As the invasion occurs between the First Battle of Geonosis and the Civil War, it must also take place in 22 BBY.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1
King Sanjay Rash in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Reign of the Empire: The Mask of Fear
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3
"The Clone Wars" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2
King Ramsis Dendup in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Dawn of Rebellion: The Visual Guide