They attack Republican helpers (7)

I believe the answer is:

raiders

'they attack' is the definition.

'republican helpers' is the wordplay.
'republican' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'helpers' becomes 'aiders' (I've seen this in another clue).
'r'+'aiders'='RAIDERS'

(Other definitions for raiders that I've seen before include "' - - of the Lost Ark'" , "Attacking force" , "Marauding attackers" , "Marauders" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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