The most crucial secret alliances in Star Wars history

Secret alliances shaped the Rebellion long before lightsabers hit the battlefield.
(L-R) Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) and Bail Organa (Benjamin Bratt) in Lucasfilm's Star Wars ANDOR Season 2, exclusively on Disney+.
(L-R) Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly) and Bail Organa (Benjamin Bratt) in Lucasfilm's Star Wars ANDOR Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. | Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm. ©2025 Lucasfilm Ltd.. All Rights Reserved.

The galaxy’s most pivotal moments often hinge not on epic battles or public declarations, but on the quiet, “dark corner” alliances that shape events behind the scenes, not in the limelight. Star Wars canon is rich with such secret networks — groups of individuals whose cooperation, often morally ambiguous and highly risky, changed the course of history without ever making headlines in the galaxy at large. 

While most fans are familiar with these alliances from series like Andor and Dave Filoni’s The Clone Wars, here we break down a few of the most intriguing canonical secret alliances that have shaped the galaxy far, far away as we know it.

Lando Calrissian and the Cloud City Network

Before officially joining the Rebel Alliance, Han Solo’s old buddy, Lando Calrissian, maintained a web of contacts few outsiders even suspected existed. As administrator of Cloud City, he navigated a delicate balance: publicly cooperating with the Empire to maintain order and resources while privately fostering connections with anti-Imperial sympathizers, smugglers, and planetary leaders.

  • Cultivating discreet contacts – Lando carefully managed relationships with local crime syndicates, miners, and traders who could relay intelligence or provide logistical support when necessary.
  • Supplying the Rebellion covertly – He used Cloud City’s infrastructure to discreetly channel resources and information to rebel cells without exposing his own position.
  • Playing a double game – Lando’s public compliance with Imperial authorities allowed him to operate under the radar, demonstrating political and strategic acumen.
  • Supporting friends and allies – When Solo was captured, Lando acted decisively, taking full advantage of his networks to facilitate rescue operations, cementing his reputation as an ally who could be counted on in both open and covert conflicts.

The combination of diplomacy, intelligence, and subtle action ensured Lando’s alliances could be activated at any critical moment, helping to turn the tide for the Rebellion.

Obi-Wan Kenobi’s Hidden Networks

Even while he was in exile on Tatooine, Obi-Wan Kenobi never truly stepped away from the galaxy’s larger struggles. While observing Luke Skywalker’s growth from afar, Kenobi quietly coordinated with allies committed to opposing the Empire.

  • Maintaining contact with Bail Organa – Through secure communication and discreet meetings, Kenobi shared intelligence and offered strategic guidance on Imperial movements.
  • Tracking Force-sensitive children – Obi-Wan used his knowledge of the Force to identify potential Jedi apprentices, laying the groundwork for future resistance and safeguarding the continuation of Jedi teachings.
  • Guiding rebel sympathizers – Even without open engagement, Kenobi mentored key individuals and provided strategic advice to those capable of resisting Imperial control.
  • Preserving knowledge and hope – Kenobi’s constant and careful observation of galactic events and cultivation of intelligence networks ensured that critical knowledge and moral guidance survived the Empire’s purges.

Through patience, discretion, and strategic foresight, Kenobi’s clandestine work helped create the foundation for the Rebellion’s eventual success.

Star Wars: A New Hope. Obi-Wan Kenobi shows Luke Skywalker a lightsaber.
Star Wars: A New Hope. Obi-Wan Kenobi shows Luke Skywalker a lightsaber. | StarWars.com

Mon Mothma and Bail Organa

Even before the Empire’s formation, dissenting senators quietly coordinated to oppose Palpatine’s growing authoritarianism. Mon Mothma and Bail Organa spearheaded this clandestine effort through several key initiatives:

  • Founding the Delegation of 2,000 – Organa and Mothma gathered concerned senators to oppose Palpatine’s accumulation of power during the Clone Wars.
  • Crafting a petition – The group drafted a petition urging Palpatine to relinquish emergency powers and pursue a peaceful resolution.
  • Working covertly after the Empire’s formation – Mon Mothma remained in the Imperial Senate to observe and subtly resist the regime, coordinating with Organa to support early rebel cells.
  • Funding intelligence networks – Mothma, along with figures like Luthen Rael, financed rebel intelligence operations and helped unify disparate resistance cells.
  • Coordinating resistance efforts – Organa monitored these movements through agents like Ahsoka Tano (operating under the codename Fulcrum).
  • Public denouncement and Alliance formation – In 2 BBY after the Ghorman Massacre, Mon Mothma publicly condemned the Empire and resigned from the Senate, calling for unity among rebel cells and establishing the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

Mothma’s political acumen, discreet funding, and intelligence-building laid the groundwork for the galaxy’s eventual fight for freedom. Their covert work was thrown into the forefront in the second season of the acclaimed Andor series.

Leia Organa’s Early Resistance

Even before formally joining the Rebellion, Princess Leia Organa worked quietly to challenge the Empire’s authority.

  • Building discreet alliances – Bail Organa’s daughter to the core, Princess Leia cultivated relationships with sympathetic senators and planetary leaders, ensuring the Rebellion had early diplomatic support.
  • Funding covert initiatives – Leia used her resources to discreetly finance rebel operations, helping cells with communications, transport, and intelligence gathering.
  • Facilitating coordination – She served as a bridge between independent rebel groups, unifying their efforts and strengthening resistance networks.
  • Direct action when necessary – Even as a young senator, Leia took part in high-stakes missions, demonstrating both strategic and operational skill, ultimately preparing the Rebellion for the larger war ahead.

Her foresight and discreet coordination ensured that the Rebellion had not only resources but also a network of committed, capable allies ready to act when the right moment presented itself.

Jedi Underground Networks

Following Order 66, surviving Jedi established underground networks to preserve knowledge and resist the Empire. Among these factions’ accomplishments was the Hidden Path, a network of Jedi safehouses that helped to spirit Force-sensitive children away from the Empire.

  • Training in secret – Surviving Jedi like Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda ensured new generations could be prepared, even if covertly.
  • Guiding rebel intelligence – Jedi like Ahsoka Tano provided strategic advice to resistance leaders, using their insight to coordinate cells and missions.
  • Preserving hope – By maintaining communication, mentorship, and moral guidance, Jedi kept the spark of rebellion alive even during the darkest periods.

These efforts demonstrated that mentorship, knowledge, and secrecy were just as important as open warfare in the fight against tyranny.

From Mon Mothma and Bail Organa’s political maneuvering to Lando’s covert support and Obi-Wan’s hidden intelligence networks, the galaxy has always been shaped by quiet acts of alliance and resistance. These secretive efforts, often overshadowed by dramatic battles, were essential in laying the groundwork for the Rebellion and, ultimately, the defeat of the Empire. Star Wars isn’t just about the wars fought openly. It’s about the alliances forged in the shadows, the whispers of hope, and the unsung heroes who kept the spark of freedom alive.