Tackling the threats involving contemporary terrorism that employs unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or ‘drones’) for targeted killings during counter-terrorist operations has raised serious concerns regarding the purported non-compliance with the international-legal principles and standards. It consequently revived the debates over the complex relationship of International Law of Armed Conflict (ILOAC) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and the difficulties that arise from the parallel application of both legal regimes. Therefore, this article seeks to elucidate the conceptual differences between the two legal frameworks in the light of the current counter-terrorist operations carried out by the means of UAV technology, particularly in the context of the right to life. Furthermore, this article seeks to contextualize the rules of both the legal paradigms in respect of drone usage and to infer upon how the frequent utilization of advanced technology in counter-terrorist operations can be reconciled with the current international law of the use of force.