The southern islands were a group of islands located on Bajor. Following the death of Kai Opaka in 2369, widespread turmoil broke out on Bajor which by early 2370 had gone from bad to worse. There were reports of factional fighting in half a dozen districts as well as religious riots spreading throughout the southern islands. Kira Nerys established these facts while attempting to persuade Benjamin Sisko that Li Nalas should be resuced from Cardassia IV. (DS9: "The Homecoming")