Kenobi's Jabiim Reference Sets Up Obi-Wan & Anakin's Best Missing Battle

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3.

The references to the planet Jabiim in Star Wars' new Obi-Wan Kenobi series may be setting up a flashback to a Clone Wars battle involving Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker that never made it to the animated series. Featured in the now-Legends comics published by Dark Horse in the early 2000s, the Battle of Jabiim was a major campaign that had some intense consequences for both Obi-Wan and his apprentice Anakin early on in the Republic's war with the Separatists. However, the missing battle was never adapted to the new canon after Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012.

In Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3, a handful of references are made to the planet Jabiim as a safe haven for those evading the Empire's grip. While Obi-Wan and young Leia Organa intend to follow the lead of their new contact, Tala, who will guide them to the world, they are interrupted by the dark arrival of the Imperial Inquisitors and Darth Vader. Although Obi-Wan brutally loses to Vader, he is rescued by Tala. However, Leia is captured by the Third Sister while Tala and Obi-Wan Kenobi are distracted.

While this particular reference in Obi-Wan Kenobi is the first major reference to Jabiim in the current canon, future episodes might finally reintegrate the Clone Wars battle via additional references from Obi-Wan or flashbacks to the Clone Wars. The battle would be the perfect one to look back to, seeing as how it's one that has never been introduced on screen, not even in the Clone Wars animated series. Here's everything that's known about the Battle of Jabiim, both in the canon and in the non-canonical Legends.

Anakin & Obi-Wan's Battle Of Jabiim In Star Wars Legends

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The Battle of Jabiim was a long-term campaign that happened early on in the Clone Wars. Beginning in Dark Horse's Star Wars: Republic #55 from W. Haden Blackman and Brian Ching, Republic forces were led by General Obi-Wan Kenobi while Anakin Skywalker was still Kenobi's apprentice and had not yet been knighted. Due to the harsh conditions and unrelenting rain, Republic vehicles such as the more classic AT-TEs and even a few AT-ATs were getting stuck in the ever-present mud. Combined with many of the Jabiimi locals aiding the Star Wars Separatists and a lack of air support, it quickly became apparent the Republic was fighting a losing battle for the valuable world and its mining operations.

However, things took an even worse turn when General Kenobi was believed to have been killed in action during the month-long campaign. In truth, Kenobi had been kidnapped by Count Dooku's assassin, Asajj Ventress. Nevertheless, the apparent loss of his master sent Anakin spiraling as he soon became the last commander standing. With no victory in sight and only enough evacuation transports for either his troops or the few Jabiimi fighters who stayed loyal to the Republic, Skywalker made the hard decision to pull his troops out and leave Jabiim to its fate. With the Jabiimi swearing vengeance on the name Skywalker for his perceived betrayal, Luke Skywalker was nearly executed for his father's crimes decades later when he himself visited the war-torn planet. While it was also the first time Anakin used Force choke on a man, the entire battle (and its consequences for Luke) became non-canonical following Disney's canon content purge.

Will Star Wars Make The Battle Of Jabiim Canon?

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Despite the Battle of Jabiim's current non-canon status, Disney has gradually reintegrated certain Legends events and characters back into the canon over time. The references to Jabiim in Obi-Wan Kenobi are the first time the planet has received such direct acknowledgment in canon, potentially teasing that the battle could become canon once more. While the planet itself has always been a part of the Star Wars galaxy, it's been unclear what events actually occurred within it during the Clone Wars. With the animated series beginning with Anakin already a Jedi knight with an apprentice of his own, making the Battle of Jabiim canon again wouldn't clash with the events of that series. It would also explain the rumors that Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen was part of a scene where Disney's de-aging technology was used. In any case, Obi-Wan or Darth Vader reflecting on the Battle of Jabiim would certainly be exciting.

What Else We Know About Jabiim In Star Wars Canon

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Apart from Legends' Battle of Jabiim, most of what's known about the planet in the canon was revealed in Obi-Wan Kenobi episode 3. According to Tala (played by Indira Varma), Jabiim is the final destination for a network known as The Path, a group of agents who help those fleeing the Empire, including Force-sensitive children and Jedi who had survived Order 66. Once making it to the planet, many receive new identities and lives in order to stay off the Empire's radar. However, it's also known that Jabiim later fell under the control of the First Order during the sequel trilogy era. Beyond these references, Jabiim is essentially a blank slate. Hopefully, more will be revealed as Obi-Wan Kenobi continues, starting with a canon version of Clone Wars' Battle of Jabiim.

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