Right after the Rebel Alliance navy dispersed following the Battle of Hoth, Commander Ellian Zahra of the Galactic Empire commenced a skirmish against the rebel Eighth Division, which was positioned close to Malastare. After uncovering the whereabouts of both the Eighth and Fourth Divisions through the use of a specialized signal analysis method, Zahra spearheaded her own assault on the Fourth Division. The rebel navy in proximity to Malastare was ensnared by an interdictor ship, and the Eighth Division suffered complete annihilation.