Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s government said today that it would be considering the nearly 560 demonstrators and security personnel killed during mass protests as “martyrs” and that their families would be eligible to receive 10 million dinars ($8,380) in compensation.

The widespread protests, which erupted in October and called for an end to growing Iranian influence, government corruption and a lack of basic services, forced the resignation of then-Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi. Human rights groups accused security forces of using violent tactics to suppress the unrest, including firing live ammunition at peaceful protesters.

“Our brave security forces protect Iraqi lives, and wrongdoers don’t represent them. Our people are our strength,” Kadhimi said on Twitter today.  

Kadhimi, who assumed the role of prime minister after five months of political deadlock, has vowed justice for those killed or wounded by security forces. His government’s official death count isn’t far off from what the United Nations and rights groups have counted. The United Nations mission in Iraq documented the deaths of 490 demonstrators and the injury of 7,783 others between October and March.