The Separatist War represents a civil conflict. It unfolded on the planet of Ord Mantell. This occurred during the Cold War period, which saw tension between the Galactic Republic and the re-emerging Sith Empire. Following the signing of the Treaty of Coruscant and the conclusion of the Great Galactic War, Ord Mantell's administration, marred by corruption, chose to maintain its allegiance to the Republic. This decision spurred the rise of a separatist movement amongst the populace, which quickly escalated into open warfare.
Around 12,000 BBY, Corellian colonists first settled on the planet of Ord Mantell. It then served as an Ordnance/Regional Depot for the Republic Military's operations within the northern reaches of the Outer Rim Territories. Despite its integration into the Galactic Republic, Ord Mantell's strategic importance diminished over time. The development of new hyperlanes eliminated the necessity for Republic fleets to traverse the Bright Jewel Cluster. Consequently, military engineers and their families were relocated to other worlds, leaving behind a predominantly agrarian population. After an unidentified corrupt admiral illicitly sold the local fleet, the Republic Military completely abandoned its interests on the planet. Ord Mantell then gained notoriety as a haven for smugglers, bounty hunters, and pirates. While Ord Mantell's numerous ports continued to attract traders and merchants, the black market flourished, and various crime syndicates gained control over the planetary government. Corporations and underworld figures seized the abandoned military spaceports, and political corruption remained pervasive for centuries. While ordinary Mantellians generally held their government in contempt, more radical fringe groups actively protested the corruption. Following the forced resignation of an entire governmental cabinet due to bribery revelations, these fringe groups began to garner increased support and gradually coalesced into a unified movement.
The civil war occurred both on Ord Mantell's surface, notably on the island of Avilatan, and in the planet's orbit. In space, ships aligned with the Mantellian Separatist Movement engaged in combat with the Republic's naval forces. Tragically, numerous civilians lost their lives during the conflict.