Syrian family leaves Canada to open climbing gym amid post-regime return wave

When the al-Assad regime collapsed in December 2024, Yasseen Tasabehji’s family, long-time residents of Mississauga, chose to return to Syria and establish a climbing gym in Damascus’s Mezzeh neighbourhood. After a scouting trip in April 2025, they moved permanently in July, converting the space into a hub for youth activities and self-esteem building. The gym’s classes, taught by Tasabehji’s sister, aim to offer alternatives to the limited recreational options that have driven many young people to consider leaving the country.

Their effort is part of a larger wave of about 1.5 million returnees seeking to reconstruct homes and livelihoods despite an estimated $216 billion reconstruction bill. President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government has been working to lift sanctions and attract investment, yet challenges remain, including widespread humanitarian needs and social tensions among returnees. Experts warn that a gradual, well-sequenced return process is essential for lasting stability.