Alma 51:27

And thus had the Lamanites obtained, by the cunning of Amalickiah, so many cities, by their numberless hosts, all of which were strongly fortified, after the manner of the fortifications of Moroni; all of which afforded strong holds for the Lamanites.

The Lamanites had taken so many cities by Amalickiah’s clever plans. All of these cities were strongly protected like Moroni’s forts. They gave the Lamanites strong places to stay.

Through Amalickiah’s cunning strategy, the Lamanites had captured many cities with their overwhelming numbers. All these cities were heavily fortified—built using Moroni’s own defensive designs. They gave the Lamanites powerful strongholds.