Some time before the Battle of Yavin, the Jedha insurgency was carried out by Saw Gerrera's Partisans on the desert moon of Jedha as part of their larger campaign against the Galactic Empire.
Under the rule of the Empire, which enforced an occupation of Jedha to protect its kyber crystal mining operation, the ancient streets of Jedha City were heavily occupied in particular. The city found itself patrolled by stormtroopers, TX-225 GAVw "Occupier" combat assault tanks and All Terrain Scout Transports. In spite of the Imperial occupation and Partisan counteroffensive, Jedha City was still visited by many offworlders. At one point, Rebel soldiers Cassian Andor and Sergeant Jyn Erso undertook a mission to Jedha to secure Bodhi Rook and locate Gerrera.