import sqlite3

def execute_query(db_path: str, query: str):
    conn = sqlite3.connect(db_path)
    cursor = conn.cursor()
    try:
        cursor.execute(query)

        # cursor.description is None for non-SELECT or empty results
        if cursor.description is None:
            conn.close()
            return []

        columns = [desc[0] for desc in cursor.description]
        rows = cursor.fetchall()
        conn.close()

        return [dict(zip(columns, row)) for row in rows]

    except sqlite3.OperationalError as e:
        conn.close()
        raise ValueError(f"SQL execution failed: {e}\nQuery: {query}")

    except Exception as e:
        conn.close()
        raise e