BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:00 A.M.) – Photo evidence has emerged showing a US Air Force (USAF) B-52 strategic bomber passing over the city of Raqqa where American-backed, Kurdish-led forces are currently engaged against ISIS.

The photo (above) was reportedly taken on Wednesday (August 23).

There is no evidence to suggest that American strategic bombers are carrying out large-area carpet bombings over Raqqa and so it seems highly unlikely due to the political repercussions of such extreme military action by the US.

In any case, it is possible that the bombers, loaded with precision munitions (i.e. JDAM and Paveway guided bombs), constantly loiter over Raqqa to be on call for strikes against specific ISIS targets (tactical positions, car bombs, troop movements, etc) as they are identified by forward air controllers on the ground or by reconnaissance drones.

The only confirmed event in regards to the US carrying out a carpet bombing mission during the Syrian War (so far) was just after the turn of this year when at least one B-52 bomber flattened an Al-Qaeda training camp in Idlib, killing 100 militants.