There were some reports of this earlier in the week but I personally regard them as unconfirmed. Not saying that they’re not happening, just that I’m not sure. In those initial reports the chicoms were said to be playing as well.
Best as I can tell this is sunni vs. shiite with ivan and iran ligning up on the shiite side while Europe and the US has thrown in with the sunnis.
Not sure there are any good guys here.
I personally regard the "giant Russian/Chinese/Syrian/Iranian" exercise reports as utterly false garbage, not just "unconfirmed."
The "report" (any other "reports" were just regurgitating the original nonsense) were from an previously-proven completely unreliable source (a semi-official Iranian news agency), described things that were pretty much operationally impossible, used terminology indicating a lack of knowledge of military matters, and of course they have all been denied by all governments mentioned.
The only reason people gave them credence was that 1) If it was true, it was exciting and scary and 2) it allowed people to indulge whatever their favorite End Times fantasy was.