A diplomatic mission was planned for Han and Leia Organa Solo to the Mid Rim planet of Bimmisaari in 9 ABY. However, this mission was disrupted when a Bimm traitor, seeking to deliver them to Thrawn's confederation, betrayed the Solos' presence on Bimmisaari. Grand Admiral Thrawn, the leader of the confederation, was informed, and he dispatched at least eight members of Team Eight, Noghri Death Commandos, to ambush the Solos at the planet's marketplace. The Solos killed some of the attacking Noghris. Simultaneously, Luke Skywalker, a Jedi Knight who was also on the planet, escaped his prisoner status and eliminated several Noghri guards before rushing to assist the Solos. Upon Skywalker's arrival, Solo's starship, the Millennium Falcon, shot at the remaining Noghris, finishing them off after Solo had already taken down the majority. This action ended the attack and foiled the attempt to capture the Solos.
Grand Admiral Thrawn, a Chiss, initiated his campaigns against the New Republic during 9 ABY. Joruus C'baoth, a Dark Jedi, was recruited by the Chiss, and in exchange for his services—specifically, controlling Thrawn's fleet—C'baoth requested that Thrawn acquire the two twins that Princess Leia Organa Solo was carrying. Learning of the Princess's visit to Bimmisaari, Thrawn deployed a team of Noghri Death Commandos to the planet with the objective of capturing C'baoth's "demands."