The Leafar were a group involved in merchant shipping based out of the Leafar system. Shortly after the Battle of Yavin, they began to challenge the Galactic Empire. The Empire responded by sending the Imperial-class Star Destroyer Badi Dea to attack their shipping convoys. The ambush was foiled by the Alliance to Restore the Republic, which, initially, sent five X-wing starfighters to protect Leafar shipping. Three separate groups of Leafar ships were defended by the Alliance, which called in reinforcements as the battle continued. The Leafar later aided the Alliance by supplying it with information on a new shield technology being produced by the Empire.