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The Pentagon has revealed a US air strike in Afghanistan earlier in the week killed al Qaeda militant Qari Yasin, a well known figure in the Pakistani Taliban. Along with plotting an attack which killed two military personnel, Yasin was believed to have been the mastermind behind a deadly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said: “The death of Qari Yasin is evidence that terrorists who defame Islam and deliberately target innocent people will not escape justice.”

GETTY Yasin was believed to have been responsible for a 2008 bombing on a hotel in Islamabad

Yasin was believed to have been responsible for a 2008 bombing on a hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan, which killed dozens of people along with the two American service personnel. But a coalition spokesperson has claimed while they try to avoid civilian deaths, the ISIS tactic of using people as “human shields” has made their work in the region more difficult. It comes as the Trump administration faces criticism for an alleged increase in civilian casualties caused by drone strikes drone strikes across Iraq and Syria.

GETTY The Trump administration has been criticised over an alleged increase in civilian deaths

First 100 days of President Trump Mon, June 12, 2017 President Donald Trump is making a significant impact on global politics during his first term. Play slideshow REUTERS 1 of 23 President Donald Trump arrives at Newark International airport

Non-profit organisation Airwars.org – who track civilian deaths from drone attacks – claim the coalition effort in the region led by the US has caused the deaths of almost 1,000 civilians in just one month. A spokesperson from the group said: "Almost 1,000 civilian non-combatant deaths have already been alleged from coalition actions across Iraq and Syria in March - a record claim.” The group, who have been monitoring Russian strikes, have been forced to focus its efforts on coalition strikes.

GETTY Yasin was believed to have been the mastermind behind a deadly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team

GETTY The ISIS tactic of using people as 'human shields' effected civilian casualty rates