The Outer Rim Sieges (19 BBY) was the final campaign of the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, being fought in 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, the sieges also encompassed when General Grievous, the Supreme Commander of the Separatist Droid Army, launched an offensive, pushing the Republic Military to the brink. In response to the assault, Jedi Generals were deployed to help the Grand Army of the Republic. Although there was a stalemate for a time, 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.

The Outer Rim Territories had served as a primary theater of conflict during the Clone Wars between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and Galactic Republic. Throughout the war, the Republic struggled to contain Separatist advances throughout the Outer Rim. Confederate forces, spearheaded by General Grievous, had gained numerous victories against the Republic in the early months of the war, including the Malevolence Campaign, 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.

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. 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 and Death Watch, 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.

As a result of the fighting, vital Outer Rim worlds such as Saleucami, Felucia, Mygeeto, Kaller and the Colonies world of Cato Neimoidia were continuously caught in a series of engagements throughout the war due to their importance. Cato Neimoidia was invaded by the Separatists prior to the Outer Rim Sieges, but Republic forces were able to hold them off. Felucia was the site of several engagements earlier in the war, one of which saw the destruction of a crucial Republic medical station. 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, and the worlds of Kaller and Mygeeto had been the sites of prolonged campaigns throughout the course of the war.

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, as well as the Separatist Navy and Army being repelled by the Republic at the Battle of Sullust and the Battle of Mon Cala. Additionally, the Republic was able to mount victories on key worlds, such as at the Second Battle of Felucia, weakening Separatist hold on vital sectors. These victories in the Outer Rim as the war continued led to growing confidence that the Separatists would not be able to sustain war for much longer, giving the Republic a path to end the conflict soon.