Rebel forces are armed groups that use armed conflict to oppose established government (or governments) in order to seek political change or to establish, maintain, or gain independence. They may have domains at the local, regional, national or international level. This article examines some of the major features and characteristics of the different kinds of Rebel forces.
Rebel governance systems can have significant ramifications for the viability of rebels’ military and civilian operations. For example, whether or not they are recognized by the state in which they operate can have a profound effect on their ability to develop effective civilian administrations and to access resources and international aid.
After the destruction of the Death Star, and the subsequent collapse of the Empire in the aftermath of Return of the Jedi, a host of inhabited planets declared their independence from the collapsing Imperial power vacuum and joined the Alliance against the Galactic Empire. This political momentum, combined with the collapse of the Imperial military and Operation Cinder – Palpatine’s post-mortem scorched earth contingency plan – encouraged thousands of additional planetary communities to join the rebellion against the Imperial Alliance.
In 4 BBY, the Rebellion expanded its firepower and military capabilities through a series of decisive victories. These included the liberation of Lothal, destroying the Imperial weapons factory on Cymoon 1, and recruiting the Mon Calamari Mercantile Fleet for refit as the Phoenix fleet to break the Imperial blockade around the rebel worlds. This expansion and newfound firepower would finally allow the Rebellion to mount a coordinated attack against the Empire on a larger scale.