Musnad Ahmad 964:1

Muhammad ibn Mus'ab narrated to us, Abu Bakr narrated to us, from Abd al-Rahman ibn Jubayr, from his father, from a man among the companions of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, who said: "Ash-Sham will be conquered for you, and in it is a place called Al-Ghuta—meaning Damascus—which is among the best dwellings of the Muslims during the great battles."