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- "We didn't anticipate the Outer Rim Sieges would last this long."
"That would be why they call it a siege, Anakin." - ―Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala
The Outer Rim Sieges was the final campaign of the Clone Wars[26] between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, being fought in 19 BBY, the third and final year of the conflict. The campaign occurred when the Confederacy was pushed back to the spiral arms of the galaxy. Although the Republic continued to keep the pressure on the Separatists in these territories,[27] the sieges also encompassed when General Grievous,[1] the Supreme Commander of the Separatist Droid Army,[17] launched a counteroffensive,[3] pushing the Republic Military to the brink. In response to the assault, Jedi Generals were deployed to help the Grand Army of the Republic.[1] Although there was a stalemate for a time,[28] the sieges ended up turning the tide of the war in the Republic's favor, making the Confederacy fear they would lose the Clone Wars.[29]
Prelude[]
- "In addition to the violence, the Republic was being bankrupted by the war effort—many essential services were cut off in the name of wartime sacrifice. Had the war not turned during the Outer Rim Sieges, it's possible support for the war effort or confidence in Chancellor Palpatine's leadership may have permanently eroded."
- ―Janyor of Bith
Red areas indicate key Separatist territories at the start of the Outer Rim Sieges.
The Outer Rim Sieges were fought in 19 BBY[3] as the final campaign of the Clone Wars,[26] a massive conflict between the Galactic Republic and Confederacy of Independent Systems that had been raging across the galaxy since 22 BBY.[3] The Outer Rim Territories had long-since served as a primary theater of conflict between the Confederacy and Republic. Throughout the war, the Republic struggled to contain Separatist advances throughout the Outer Rim.[31] Confederate forces, spearheaded by General Grievous, had gained numerous victories against the Republic in the early months of the war, including the Malevolence Campaign,[32] as well as a series of attacks on Republic fleets by the Confederate armada across the Outer Rim, particularly on Falleen and Quell. These Separatist advances throughout the Outer Rim early on in the war further jeopardized the Republic's foothold in vital sectors, and civilian worlds such as Ryloth and Mandalore suffered greatly due to violence and the closing of Outer Rim trade routes.[33][34]
Due to the Jedi's attention being diverted to battling the Separatists, many crime syndicates and pirates exploited the war as an opportunity to expand their reign, as well as criminal activities, throughout the Outer Rim.[35] Criminal groups and organizations such as the Ohnaka gang, Hutt clans, Black Sun, and the Pyke Syndicate were able to prosper due to the Republic being focused on the war effort. Groups, such as the Zygerrian Slave Empire[36] and Death Watch,[37] were able to return to power in the Outer Rim due to backing from Count Dooku and the Separatists. These organizations would sow additional chaos in the Outer Rim as they had free reign during the war. Additionally, as Republic forces continued to be spread thin throughout the Outer Rim, many Confederate planets, such as Geonosis, that were thought to be conquered and secured, began to rise up and overthrow Republic occupation forces, allowing the Separatists to prolong the conflict.[38]
Cato Neimoidia was invaded by the Separatists prior to the Outer Rim Sieges.[39] Felucia was the site of several engagements earlier in the war, one of which saw the destruction of a crucial Republic medical station.[40][41][42] Following the capture of Jedi Master Eeth Koth, Grievous advanced to Saleucami in an attempt to establish a base in the system, but was thwarted by the Republic,[31] and the world of Mygeeto had been the sites of prolonged campaigns throughout the course of the war.[11]
However, as the war progressed, the Republic was slowly able to turn the tide of the fighting in the Outer Rim. The Confederacy suffered major setbacks following the destruction of the droid factories on Geonosis,[43] as well as the Separatist Navy and Army being repelled by the Republic at the Battle of Sullust[44] and the Battle of Mon Cala.[45] Additionally, the Republic was able to mount victories on key worlds, such as at the Second Battle of Felucia.[42]
The sieges[]
Republic offensive[]
- "Looks like the Republic found the factory."
"They found nearly all of them. Drove us to the Outer Rim. It was the beginning of the end." - ―Gedeek Obaz and ND-5
Admiral Trench's forces besieged the Republic stronghold of Anaxes
Though victory seemed inevitable for the Republic in the final year of the war, it would take much longer than anticipated.[27] The Separatists lost the majority of their droid factories[46] and territory, pushing the CIS back to a few remaining redoubts in the Outer Rim[47] in a Republic campaign known as the Outer Rim Sieges,[27] although the campaign also saw fronts open in the Mid Rim[2] and Colonies.[1] Despite the Republic offensive,[27] Grievous attempted to take control of the shipyards on Anaxes, resulting in[48] a long,[49] bloody battle led by[48] Admiral Trench, who moved his droid forces[18] into the Coreward edge[9] and launched a massive siege against the Republic shipyards.[18] The battle ended in a victory for the Republic, with Trench killed.[21]
During the campaign, the homeworld of Count Dooku, Serenno, became a focus for the Republic, but multiple attacks against both the D'Astan sector and the Serenno system itself failed to take the world.[6] A battle on Metalorn was waged at one point. The Republic also besieged the Separatist-controlled world of Saleucami.[9] For a time, the sieges were in a stalemate.[28]
Grievous's counteroffensive[]
- "This, from the days when the Separatists brought the war to the Outer Rim in the later years of the Clone Wars."
- ―Norra Wexley
General Grievous orders the Separatist Army to besiege the Outer Rim, forcing the deployment of numerous Jedi generals all around the Outer Rim.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Anaxes,[3] a new component of the sieges opened when Grievous launched[1] a counterattack.[3] Grievous's counteroffensive[3] pushed the Republic's forces,[1] already stretched across the Outer Rim in its offensive,[51] outside of the Core into a breaking point.[1] Indeed, while the Outer Rim had been a front of the Clone Wars since their beginning,[52][33] the Akivan Norra Wexley, while walking through the aftermath of the Battle of Akiva, later recalled the CIS as "bringing" the war to the Outer Rim in its final years.[50]
In these desperate final hours,[3] to defend against the the Confederate assault, the Republic and the Jedi Council deployed their generals throughout the Outer Rim to halt the Separatist advance.[1] However, with the Jedi and most of the experienced officers away from the Core fighting in the sieges, Grievous would exploit this vulnerability[27] and launch a surprise assault on Coruscant with thousands of warships from the Separatist Navy.[2]
The sieges continued to take place until the final days of the Clone Wars.[2] Battles that took place during the late sieges included the Fourth Battle of Mygeeto,[11] the Battle of Felucia,[13] the Conquest of Kaller, and the Battle of Yerbana.[1] Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his former apprentice Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker fought in the Outer Rim Sieges before being recalled for the Battle of Coruscant.[2]
Final hours[]
- "It won't be long before the armies of the Republic track us here. I'm sending you to the Mustafar system, in the Outer Rim. It is a volcanic planet. You will be safe there."
"Safe? Chancellor Palpatine managed to escape your grip, General. Without Count Dooku, I have doubts about your ability to keep us safe." - ―Grievous and Nute Gunray
Though the Confederacy had stretched the Jedi and clone armies thin throughout the Outer Rim, the Republic had continued to fight back,[1] turning the tide of the fighting to the Republic's advantage[29] and putting the Confederacy on the defensive.[51] In the final days of the war, the droid army and the Separatist fleet were severely diminished.[15] In addition to continued losses in the sieges, the loss of Count Dooku and a portion of the armada at Coruscant would continue to diminish not only the Separatist's ability to wage war in the Outer Rim, but also morale among the Separatist leaders, including Viceroy Nute Gunray, and lead them to doubt the Confederacy's chances of winning the war.[2]
Following the rescue of Chancellor Palpatine, Grievous retreated to the Outer Rim world of Utapau, where he deployed the already severely depleted droid army across numerous systems in hopes of pushing the Republic back.[15] With Separatist forces spread thin over many Outer Rim sectors, it became increasingly difficult for the Jedi Council to track General Grievous, who assumed the position of Head of State of the Separatist Alliance following the death of Count Dooku, making him a priority target for the Republic to bring the war to an end. There was grave concern among Republic politicians, including the Chancellor, that the war would not end until Grievous was killed. Days later however, the Republic tracked the general to Utapau and the subsequent battle and death of Grievous would bring further destabilization of the Separatist command structure, and following Order 66, the execution of the Separatist Council on Mustafar and the deactivation of the droid armies, the sieges, and the war as a whole, came to an end.[2]
Appearances[]
- Star Wars: Galactic Defense
- Star Wars: The Prequel Trilogy – A Graphic Novel
- Inquisitor: Rise of the Red Blade (and audiobook) (Indirect mention only)
- Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel (and audiobook)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "The Bad Batch"- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "A Distant Echo"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Unfinished Business"
- Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Old Friends Not Forgotten"
- Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith (First appearance)
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch — "Aftermath"
- Kanan 2 (Vision to Caleb Dume)
- Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures — "Chewbacca - Wookiee Warrior" (In flashback(s))
- Kanan 1
- Star Wars Outlaws (Indirect mention only)
- Aftermath (and audiobook) (Indirect mention only)
- Galaxy's Edge 2 (In flashback(s))
Non-canon appearances[]
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
