Alma 51:25

But it came to pass that Amalickiah would not suffer the Lamanites to go against the city of Nephihah to battle, but kept them down by the seashore, leaving men in every city to maintain and defend it;

But Amalickiah would not let the Lamanites fight against the city of Nephihah. He kept them down by the ocean. He left men in every city to guard and defend it.

But Amalickiah wouldn’t let the Lamanites attack Nephihah. He kept them along the coast, leaving garrisons in every captured city to hold and defend it.