Events during the caliphate of ʿUmar al-Fārūq:

Year 14 AH:
During this year Damascus, Ḥimṣ, Baʿlabakk, Basra, and al-Ubulla were opened; the Battle of the Bridge led by Abū ʿUbayd took place in the land of Najrān; and the Battle of Faḥl occurred in greater Syria, according to Ibn al-Kalbī.

As for Damascus, al-Walīd ibn Hishām narrated—from his father, from his grandfather—that Khālid was commanding the army and concluded a pact with the people of Damascus. Before he had finished drafting the agreement he was dismissed, and Abū ʿUbaydah was appointed in his stead. Abū ʿUbaydah ratified Khālid’s treaty without altering the document.

Khalīfah ibn Khayyāṭ judged this report to be mistaken, saying: ʿUmar had already dismissed Khālid as soon as he became caliph. He added: ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Mughīrah related to me, from his father, who said: Abū ʿUbaydah made peace with them, granting them half of their churches and dwellings, imposing the head-tax on them, and stipulating that they were not to be hindered from observing their festivals.

Ibn al-Kalbī stated that the treaty was concluded on Sunday, the middle of Rajab in the year 14 AH, and that Abū ʿUbaydah was the one who negotiated it.

Ibn Isḥāq likewise said: Abū ʿUbaydah made peace with them in Rajab.

Ibn Jarīr reported: Abū ʿUbaydah marched toward Damascus with Khālid at the head of the vanguard, while the Byzantines had rallied in the city behind a man called Bāhān. ʿUmar had removed Khālid and installed Abū ʿUbaydah over all the forces, and the Muslims and the Byzantines met for battle.