Yon Rha became the commander of the Southern Raiders around 86 AG. In 94 AG, he was tasked by Fire Lord Azulon to find and dispose of the final remaining waterbender in the Southern Water Tribe. He and his men executed a raid on the tribe during which Yon Rha interrogated Kya to find the last waterbender's whereabouts. Kya tricked him into believing that she was the one they were looking for in order to protect the real waterbender, her daughter Katara. Yon Rha killed Kya on the spot, explaining that he did not intend to take any prisoners.