فَإِمَّا تَثْقَفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْحَرْبِ فَشَرِّدْ بِهِم مَّنْ خَلْفَهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ
So if you confront them in battle, treat them [in such a wise] as to disperse those who are behind them, so that they may take admonition.
Agha Ali Puya Commentary
Commentary on Quran 8:57
[Pooya/Ali Commentary 8:57] If you apprehend treachery from a people with whom you have a treaty break off relations with them; and to put an end to treachery it is essential to inflict an exemplary punishment on those enemies who attack you by breaking treaties made with you so that no one from among them or after them may dare harass you again.