They don't intend to get engaged (13)
I believe the answer is:
noncombatants
'they' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'don't intend to get engaged' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'engaged' could be 'at' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'at' is present in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for noncombatants that I've seen is " Civilians in wartime".)