وَاسْتَفْتَحُواْ ...

And they sought victory and help,

refers to the Messengers who sought the help and victory of their Lord over their nations, according to Abdullah bin Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah.

Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said that;

this Ayah refers to the nations, invoking Allah's victory against themselves!

Some idolators said,

اللَّهُمَّ إِن كَانَ هَـذَا هُوَ الْحَقَّ مِنْ عِندِكَ فَأَمْطِرْ عَلَيْنَا حِجَارَةً مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ أَوِ ائْتِنَا بِعَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

O Allah! If this (Qur'an) is indeed the truth (revealed) from You, then rain down stones on us from the sky or bring on us a painful torment. (8:32)

It is possible that both meanings are desired here, for the idolators (of Quraysh) invoked Allah against themselves on the day of Badr, and the Messenger of Allah invoked Him for victory and support.

Allah said to the idolators then,

إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُواْ فَقَدْ جَآءَكُمُ الْفَتْحُ وَإِن تَنتَهُواْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ

(O disbelievers) if you ask for a judgment, now has the judgment come unto you; and if you cease (to do wrong), it will be better for you. (8:19)

Allah knows best.

Allah said next,

... وَخَابَ كُلُّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ ﴿١٥﴾

and every obstinate, arrogant dictator was brought to a complete loss and destruction.

those who were arrogant and rebelled against the truth.

Allah said in other Ayat,

أَلْقِيَا فِى جَهَنَّمَ كُلَّ كَفَّارٍ عَنِيدٍ

مَّنَّـعٍ لِّلْخَيْرِ مُعْتَدٍ مُّرِيبٍ

الَّذِى جَعَلَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَـهاً ءَاخَرَ فَأَلْقِيَـهُ فِى الْعَذَابِ الشَّدِيدِ

(Allah will say to the angels): "Both of you throw into Hell every stubborn disbeliever - hinderer of good, transgressor, doubter, who set up another deity with Allah. Then both of you cast him in the severe torment.'' (50:24-26)

The Prophet said,

إِنَّهُ يُؤْتَى بِجَهَنَّمَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، فَتُنَادِي الْخَلَائِقَ، فَتَقُولُ: إِنِّي وُكِّلْتُ بِكُلِّ جَبَّارٍ عَنِيد

On the Day of Resurrection, Jahannam (Hellfire) will be brought and it will call the creatures, saying, "I was given the responsibility of every rebellious tyrant.''

Therefore, every tyrant has earned utter demise and loss when the Prophets invoked Allah, the Mighty, the Able for victory.

Allah said next,