From Tunisia... Interpol Takes Down 126 Terrorists in AI-Powered Operation

Interpol revealed the outcomes of an international security operation described as unprecedented in targeting terrorist networks in the digital realm, with the Tunisian capital serving as its headquarters and execution center.

The operation, named "Sun 2," brought together approximately 28 officers and specialized experts from 11 countries—including Tunisia, Iraq, Qatar, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Nigeria, the Philippines, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—over five days from June 1 to June 5, 2026.

Algorithms Hunting "ISIS"

The experts’ mission in Tunisia focused on processing a vast volume of visual and promotional material—images and videos—broadcast by extremist groups online. The team successfully extracted over 108,000 images of faces appearing in these digital posts.

Faced with duplicated images and low-quality video clips, the team for the first time employed artificial intelligence software and advanced algorithms, enabling them to clean and reduce the database to 6,362 high-resolution face images, which were directly entered into Interpol’s biometric facial recognition system.

According to Interpol’s international standards, the automated results were not adopted without verification; instead, they underwent rigorous cross-checking by investigators and specialists in intelligence analysis.

These verifications led to the identification of 126 foreign terrorist fighters, with tracking of their networks and current locations underway, amid expectations that the number will rise as further data is analyzed.

Iraqi Support and Cryptocurrency Tracking

The operation extended beyond open digital spaces, as Interpol’s central office in Baghdad provided the team with a critical package of intelligence data and documents concerning several suspects.

Investigations under "Sun 2" contributed to ongoing legal proceedings in multiple participating countries, including strengthening the case against two high-risk individuals currently in custody.

On financial disruption efforts, the operation expanded to trace digital financial footprints, with investigators using advanced tools to monitor cryptocurrencies. This led to Interpol issuing three urgent requests to virtual asset service providers to freeze accounts and block financial flows suspected of funding terrorist activities.

Additionally, Interpol officials established direct communication channels with representatives from the video gaming sector to explore ways to curb the exploitation of interactive digital environments in radicalizing and recruiting youth, and to develop an early warning mechanism between gaming companies and law enforcement agencies.

A Security Model for the Future

In this context, Maria Carmen Monnoth González, Interpol’s Director of Counter-Terrorism, emphasized that the success of "Sun 2" marks a true turning point, stating that "the integration of on-the-ground international cooperation with AI-driven analytical capabilities represents a scalable model for combating all forms of transnational criminal networks."

It should be noted that the operation was carried out within the framework of the EU-funded "CT TECH+" project, supported by the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, as part of growing global efforts to counter terrorist activities in the digital space.