Frustrated at negotiations with the republic and believing it weakened by both the Darul Islam and Madiun insurgencies, the Dutch launched a military offensive on 19 December 1948 which it termed 'Operatie Kraai' (Operation Crow).

The republican president, vice-president, and all but six Republic of Indonesia ministers were captured by Dutch troops and exiled to Bangka Island off the east coast of Sumatra.

In early 1949, Hamengkubuwono IX conceived the idea of a major offensive to be launched against Yogyakarta and the Dutch troops occupying it.

In February 1949, Hamengkubuwono IX had a meeting with then Lieutenant Colonel Suharto, the man chosen by Sudirman to be the field commander for the offensive.

[3] The United Nations already adopted United Nations Security Council Resolution 63 on 24 December 1948,[4] in response to a report by the Committee of Good Offices the Council called upon the parties to cease hostilities and to release the President of the Republic of Indonesia and other political prisoners arrested since 18 December 1948.