In a groundbreaking legal move, hundreds of American Yazidis have filed a lawsuit against the French cement company Lafarge, accusing it of providing financial support to the ISIS terrorist organization in Iraq and Syria. The plaintiffs, survivors of ISIS violence against Yazidis in Sinjar, are seeking compensation for alleged collaboration and support from the multinational corporation.

The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in New York, claims that Lafarge "aided and abetted international terrorism committed by ISIS, conspired with the organization and its intermediaries, and must pay damages to the survivors." Lafarge admitted guilt in a U.S. court in October of the previous year for providing funds to groups classified as terrorists by the United States, including ISIS, to sustain its operations in Syria. The plea agreement resulted in Lafarge agreeing to pay $778 million in fines.

Prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney and former U.S. diplomat Lee Wolosky represent the plaintiffs, all of whom are U.S. citizens. Clooney expressed shock, stating, "It is shocking that a leading global company would work alongside ISIS while the organization was executing American civilians and committing genocide against the Yazidis."

The lawsuit alleges that Lafarge's actions were ongoing "before, during, and after the time when the organization carried out these monstrous attacks on the Yazidis." It accuses the defendants of "paying and conspiring with the organization" during this period.

This legal action follows a similar move in July when families of an American aid worker and U.S. soldiers, who were killed or injured by ISIS and the al-Nusra Front, filed a lawsuit against Lafarge. The case marks a significant development in holding corporations accountable for their alleged involvement in supporting terrorist activities. The court proceedings are expected to shed light on the extent of Lafarge's actions and determine the appropriate compensation for the survivors.