def fetch_items(self, category, **kwargs):
        """Fetch the issues

        :param category: the category of items to fetch
        :param kwargs: backend arguments

        :returns: a generator of items
        """
        from_date = kwargs['from_date']

        logger.info("Fetching issues of '%s' distribution from %s",
                    self.distribution, str(from_date))

        nissues = 0

        for issue in self._fetch_issues(from_date):
            yield issue
            nissues += 1

        logger.info("Fetch process completed: %s issues fetched", nissues)