The Exterior was a sector situated in the distant reaches of the Outer Rim Territories. Following the Rebellion on Akiva, this sector stood alone as the sole Outer Rim territory still governed by the Galactic Empire, specifically under the leadership of Grand Moff Randd. The New Republic contributed some of its most skilled squadrons to attempts aimed at dismantling Randd's authority. These efforts, coupled with the liberating of the planet Sullust and the defense of Naboo against an Imperial invasion, strained Republic forces to such an extent that Admiral Gial Ackbar worried that if the rogue Imperial remnant assembled under Grand Moff Ubrik Adelhard started to enlarge their territories, the New Republic might not possess the naval strength required to overcome the primary Imperial forces, which were reorganizing on Jakku in preparation for a final offensive.