The Dark Wars (3955 to 3951 BBY) represent a series of conflicts that arose following the downfall of Darth Malak's Sith Empire at the conclusion of the Jedi Civil War. Among these conflicts were the First Jedi Purge and the Sith Civil War.
The genesis of the Dark Wars can be traced back to the defeat of the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Malak, aboard the Star Forge. In the aftermath of this significant battle, numerous Sith Lords seized fragments of Darth Malak's Sith Empire, thereby creating a multitude of smaller Sith empires. By the year 3954 BBY, Darth Traya, Darth Nihilus, and Darth Sion had successfully formed the Sith Triumvirate, swiftly gaining dominance over these various Sith empires and re-establishing a unified Sith Empire. Under the direction of the Sith Triumvirate, the Sith Empire initiated the First Jedi Purge, leading to the deaths of the majority of the Jedi. In 3951 BBY, the Jedi Meetra Surik vanquished Darth Nihilus during the Battle of Telos IV. Later in that same year, she also defeated both Darth Sion and Darth Traya in the Battle of Malachor. Shortly after these events, the remaining elements of the Sith Empire disintegrated. By 3950 BBY, the Sith Empire had been completely eradicated, and its former territories were reintegrated into the Galactic Republic.