Battle of Iridonia (Hutt War)

The Battle of Iridonia was the first battle of the Hutt War between the Galactic Republic and the Hutt Empire. The battle came after years of tense relations between the two governments, and resulted in a victory for the Hutt Empire.

Prelude
After the Alsakan Crisis, a war between the Galactic Republic and the Alsakan Union from 13,000 BBY to 12,999 BBY, the Republic began colonizing the galaxy's region. This worried the Hutt Empire, a criminal empire in the, which believed that the Republic was attempting to move into and colonize Hutt territory. This led to years of failed peace talks and tense relations, during which time the Republic did not move any further into the Mid Rim. However, during the term of Republic Supreme Chancellor Etesutr Hapor, the Republic began moving deeper into the Mid Rim, leading the Hutts to believe that it was proof of an imminent invasion.

The battle
In 12,979 BBY, both Republic and Hutt forces were at, a Mid Rim world. While there, a battle broke out between them, but it was unclear who fired the first shots or why they were fired. The Hutt forces were more aggressive than the Republic expected, prompting the Republic forces to retreat. This skirmish became the first battle of the Hutt War, and the Republic noted it as its first loss since the Battle of Coruscant during the Alsakan Crisis.

Aftermath
Following the battle, the Hutts, who traditionally had no interest in military conquest, recognized that if they put aside their thoughts about combat then they could potentially gain control of the Republic’s commerce, thereby controlling the economy of the entire known galaxy. To that end, the Hutts moved their fleet, one that rivaled the Republic’s in strength and size, into the Mid Rim, where they made it clear that their goal was to take over the Republic’s commerce and assert economic dominance over the galaxy.