Date: 2347-2360s

The war did not begin with a formal declaration but grew out of escalating territorial disputes along their shared frontier. Both powers sought to secure strategic systems and colonies, leading to frequent skirmishes, raids, and limited engagements rather than open total war. The conflict was marked by attrition and ambiguity. Starfleet forces, designed primarily for exploration, found themselves engaged in sustained military operations, while the Cardassians relied on harsh occupation tactics and intelligence operations to maintain control over contested worlds. Civilians on both sides suffered, particularly on border colonies that changed hands multiple times. One of the most enduring consequences of the war was the Cardassian occupation of Bajor, which occurred alongside the conflict and exemplified Cardassian imperial policy. After years of mounting losses and political strain, neither side was able to achieve a decisive victory. The war ended with a negotiated armistice and the signing of a peace treaty that established the Demilitarized Zone. Several inhabited worlds were transferred between governments, forcing populations to either relocate or accept rule by a former enemy. This settlement resolved the immediate fighting but left deep resentment and unresolved grievances. The aftermath of the Federation–Cardassian War destabilized the region for decades. Displaced colonists formed the Maquis, launching an insurgency against Cardassian targets and later Federation authorities. Cardassia itself emerged economically weakened and politically vulnerable, conditions that would later contribute to its alliance with the Dominion.