Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Reality is that there is a very limited retreat of the vehicles, with the occupation forces providing cover undeer fire up to Salah al-Din Street
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Claims that the Israeli occupation has withdrawn from areas in the neighborhoods of al-Zaytoun, al-Tuffah, and al-Shujaiya are false
Hamas: The two delegations stressed that any negotiations must lead to the achievement of our people's goals and aspirations, foremost among which is ending the war and the complete withdrawal of enemy forces

Lafarge's dealings with ISIS may reshape corp. accountability: Report

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The Guardian
  • 17 Sep 2024 21:02
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

Lafarge's subsidiary in Syria made payments to IS in exchange for protection and approval to continue producing and selling cement.

Listen
  • x
  • Activists of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion hold a banner reading
    Activists of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion hold a banner reading "Lafarge guilty" outside the Cemex cement plant sits in Paris, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (AP)

A report published by The Guardian on Tuesday revealed the extent of Lafarge SA's involvement in funding the terrorist group Islamic State (IS) to keep its Syrian cement factory running in the early years of the war.

According to the report, between 2013 and 2014, Lafarge, then the world's largest cement conglomerate, paid approximately $6 million to IS and other terror groups, treating them as strategic partners in order to maintain operations in Syria.

Lafarge's subsidiary in Syria made payments to IS in exchange for protection and approval to continue producing and selling cement. The company even purchased raw materials from IS-approved vendors and supplied the group with cement, ensuring that IS could eliminate competition from Turkish cement imports.

This arrangement allowed Lafarge to continue operating, even as bombs and gunfire ravaged the region and local employees were kidnapped.

Read more: Syrian military statement: US occupation cannot persist

The Guardian's report details how Lafarge executives, both in Syria and at the company's headquarters in Paris, were fully aware of their actions, taking deliberate steps to conceal the company's relationship with IS.

Emails between executives reveal instructions to avoid using the Lafarge name on documents related to dealings with IS, fearing the consequences of being linked to the terrorist group.

Related News

Tensions ease in Sweida as all detainees released amid mediation

Fierce clashes breakout in Syria's Sweida, leading to displacement

It was also revealed that Jean-Claude Veillard, Lafarge’s security director, met with French secret services at least 33 times between 2012 and 2014. These meetings suggest that the French government may have been aware of Lafarge’s actions in Syria, as French intelligence reportedly sought information about the Syrian government during this period. Veillard’s role has drawn attention in the ongoing French legal case.

Jean-Claude Veillard, ex candidat FN en 2014, était en charge de mener les négociations entre Lafarge et Daesh pour permettre au cimentier de continuer ses activités. pic.twitter.com/gsQ9tOUEBG

— ONED (@ONextdroite) April 18, 2022

Lafarge's relationship with IS came to light when the US Department of Justice filed criminal charges, accusing the company of conspiring to provide material support to a terrorist organization.

In 2022, Lafarge pleaded guilty and was fined $778 million, making it the first company to face criminal prosecution on such charges in the US.

This fine, however, has opened the door to further legal battles. Victims of IS, including Yazidis and others who were subjected to horrific violence under IS rule, are now suing Lafarge in civil cases.

Read more: Lafarge to plead guilty to funding ISIS, pay $700m fine

Lafarge is also facing a criminal case in France, where former Syrian employees and human rights groups have accused the company of complicity in crimes against humanity.

If Lafarge is convicted, it could set a precedent for holding corporations accountable for their role in perpetuating violence and conflict in war zones.

The French case has been tied up in legal appeals since 2016, but it has garnered significant attention due to its potential to reshape how corporations are prosecuted for complicity in war crimes.

  • Syria
  • ISIS
  • Lafarge
  • France
  • Terrorism

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS