The speculation was that these troops would reinforce the Raqqa offensive somehow.
This administration is pretty tight-lipped about future operations, so the media is left speculating, and just reporting as they see signs of troops moving.
The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit is already in Theater, aboard ship. The 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division was reported to have arrived in Kuwait.
I don’t think they are likely to send them into town to go door-to-door. I would guess that they will fill non-infantry roles like logistics support, intel, and fire support. Maybe a forward Command Post, and probably a bunch of guard force and quick reaction force - to thoroughly protect the forces that are already there. If you want 100 alert guys guarding the perimeter and another 100-200 ready to react quickly (on three shifts) you would need about 1,000.
They might also be planned for refugee support, or stabilization after the assault. Perhaps they are there to deter the Turks from invading.
Lot’s of possibilities.
The 11th MEU onboard the USS Makin Island is the only MEU in theater and on the ground.
The USS Bataan and 24th MEU left Norfolk and Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Camp Lejeune, Feb. 25 and March 1. They should be on station in the Mediterranean by the end of March.