From the Australian suburbs to Syria
FIRST ON 7: Northern Syria is a long way from suburban Australia, but sitting among rebel fighters is a young man with a familiar accent.
Abu Ousama is a born, raised true blue Aussie. He is also part of the Jund al Aqsa rebel group, which is made up largely of foreign fighters.
He is a brigade combat medic. His thousand-strong brigade is independent of ISIS but supports its beheadings and ideology.
He said: "You have these beheadings and some people might call them barbaric, some people might have all these names for them but what is the difference between a missile that hits a house which kills 15 kids compared to a man dying getting cut by his throat."
It is all just a necessary part of establishing an Islamic state, he claims.
"ISIS have taken this role of protecting the innocent Muslims of this country, of this land, so they need to do what they have to do to make their state," he continued.
"If they are blackmailing America or anybody, saying don't shoot a missile that is going to kill 50 or 60 people for one bloke, how can we say that's even equivalent to it being a wrong."
Abu Ousama's statements were filmed by British photojournalist Tam Hussein just two weeks ago, while he lived with fighting brigades north of Hama.
Mr Hussein revealed: "They treated me as one of their own, in the sense that I slept, ate, did everything they did except dealing with firearms."
On most days there is no battle and Abu Ousama works in a local hospital.
Despite his support for the beheading of innocents, he wants the Australian public to believe he would pose no risk if he returned to Australia.
"There is no hatred between me and Australia and actually, home is home, everybody is going to love their country," he insisted.
"Do I miss anything about [home]? I'd pay 500 Syrian just to have some Cocoa Pops, just because you miss home and feel like some Cocoa Pops."
However, he has not ruled out fighting against Australian forces.
He continued: "If they're going to come in with their planes, with their missiles, and shoot innocents. How can anybody [rule it out] - you're forced to."
According to Australian Federal Police, more than 100 Australians have crossed into Syria since the conflict began, but what authorities plan to do with those who return remains unclear.
Abu Ousama says he is not afraid to die in Syria.
"I hope Allah sees the good work we've done and blesses us with his reward [of paradise]. This is the best, what more could you want."
He also has a warning to the people of Australia and added: "I am sad to see Australia taking that step - coming into a place that it doesn't need to be, because it will cause a reaction. It will cause people to hate it."
The Prime Minister's office has told 7News that it will be referring the interview to Australia's security agencies for analysis and assessment.
