Operation Durge's Lance was a major offensive launched by the Confederacy of Independent Systems along the Corellian Trade Spine in 21 BBY, at the height of the Clone Wars. Under the command of General Grievous, and armed with new and precise maps of local hyperroutes with the goal of preparing for an invasion of the Core Worlds.
During the offensive, the First Fleet and Third Fleet of the Confederate Navy was launched from Yag'Dhul. The fleets were provisioned by supply lines from Sullust and Thyferra. The battles during the campaign were considered to be General Grievous's greatest successes.
Weeks into the Offensive, at 0221 local time, the Separatist forces broke through the outer system defenses of Duro, making it another major world to be targeted by Operation Durge's Lance. After the fall of Jyvus Space City, one of the largest space cities of Duro, the Separatists lowered the planetary shield and began a orbital bombardment of the planet's industrial factories. This caused the complete destruction of the already fragile ecosystem of Duro. The battle resulted in a quick and overwhelming victory for the Confederacy, which was used much in CIS propaganda.
Organic forces deployed on Moorja
After the Battle of Duro, the Corellian Trade Spine was declared secured by the Separatists. Givin combat engineers towed asteroid bodies into strategic positions along the Trade Spine. HoloNet nodes were dismantled and replaced by InterGalactic Banking Clan communication ships. The Separatists placed organic forces on the ion storm plagued world of Moorja. These troops protected the vulnerable 'back door' to the Separatist's recent conquests along the Trade Spine. Both the CIS Shadowfeed and Holonet News speculated on the next moves of the Separatists. With assaults along the Rimma Trade Route being mention. Corellia meanwhile prepared for an impending attack by the Separatists.
Humbarine, a founding member of the Republic, fell victim to the wrath of Grievous. The ecumenopolis was subjected to an hour-long bombardment, leaving the planet uninhabitable. Humbarine was subsequently abandoned by the Republic. Grievous believed that terrorizing civilian populations was the essence of war. From his flagship, the Invisible Hand, he released the Brainrot Plague on Loedorvia. The plague spread through the entire Weemell sector, killing all the Clone armies and nearly every Human in the sector. Operation Durge's Lance reached as far as Kaikielius. During the battle, an incident occurred that would be dubbed Mad Clone of Kaikielius by Holonet commentators.
Mismanagement of the war by the Senate caused for calls of more centralization of command. The possibility of the dissolution of the Senate Action Subcommittees got opposition from Senators Padmé Amidala and Lexi Dio. At some point, the Separatist advance ground to a halt, and the Republic began the Outer Rim Sieges in a massive counterattack.
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