A light Imperial Garrison was installed on Cloud City shortly after the Battle of Hoth, following the attempted capture of fleeing members of the Rebel Alliance. Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, and their newfound ally Lando Calrissian along with Chewbacca and two droids managed to escape the Imperial trap on the heavily modified YT-1300 light freighter the Millennium Falcon. Before leaving, Baron Administrator Lando Calrissian managed to warn the citizens of Cloud City about the recent arrival of Imperial forces, causing many to panic and flee.
Just after the Battle of Endor, the Imperial Garrison was withdrawn in the wake of the Emperor's death. But Governor Ubrik Adelhard reestablished control through the Iron Blockade.