The Iakaru lived in peace prior to the Clone Wars. During the pan-galactic war, Degan Explorations scouted the Iakar system and discovered valuable chemical compounds for bacta replication and other valuable uses. Parent company Chiewab Amalgamated Pharmaceuticals installed a research facility on the planet, yet transmissions of the discovery were recovered by Fabreth Medical and Merisee Prime, other pharmaceutical companies and quickly established their own installations.
Following the corporate intrusions into their homeworld, the Iakaru defended their homes and forests fiercely, but were eventually overwhelmed by corporate security forces and were subsequently massacred. Other instances witnessed the relocation of entire by corporate forces. Eventually, the Iakaru surrendered and conceded desired territory and moved further into the forests.
Several years after the establishment of the Galactic Empire, a fully-equipped Imperial occupation force was dispatched to Iakar following the rise of insurgent activity throughout the galaxy. The Empire hoped to supply troves of medical supplies to their forces by occupying Iakar. The Iakaru were forced deeper into the forests and were eventually forced to attack Imperial forces or escape their homeworld.
The massacres on Iakar were first mentioned in Dawn of Rebellion, a canon roleplaying 2018 sourcebook that is based on Star Wars Rebels and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The book was published by Fantasy Flight Games and was authored by John Dunn, Tom Sorenson, Sterling Hershey, Jonathan Julius, Keith Ryan Kappel, Tim Huckelberry, Jason Marker, and James M. Spahn.
- Dawn of Rebellion