The Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor of MEMRI (the Middle East Media Research Institute) exclusively provided The Jerusalem Post with a report on Tuesday based on an interview with the fighter, who is in Ankara for medical care, by journalist Deniz Kahraman from the left-liberal Aydinlik newspaper and the OdaTV website, in which the fighter says Turkey played a crucial role in the Sunni group’s spectacular advances. “Turkey paved the way for us. Had Turkey not shown such understanding for us, the Islamic State would not be in its current place. It [Turkey] showed us affection. Large number of our mujahedeen [jihadis] received medical treatment in Turkey,” he said. “We do not have the support of Saudi Arabia, but many Saudi families who believe in jihad do assist us. But anyhow, we will no longer need it, soon,” he said. “We will build the Islamic state in the territories from Tigris to Jordan and Palestine and to Lebanon. Sunni Law will rule,” he added. The Islamic State gunman discussed his personal history, how he has been fighting with jihadist groups for 12 years, first taking part in combat against the Americans in Fallujah, Iraq.