The Caucasus Emirate (Имарат Кавказ "Imarat Kavkaz") is not a country and is not recognised by other countries. It is a self-proclaimed virtual state entity. It claims to be the successor to the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria. It was announced on October 31, 2007 by former President of Ichkeria, Dokka Umarov. Its military branch is the Caucasian Front. It has an area of and 18,848,917 (2011 est).